We 1 (4-05) Weekly Weather And Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 12, 2005, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin call Brian T. Young at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 92, No. 15 April 3 - 9, 2005 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Conditions were similar to those observed the previous week, with warm weather nearly nationwide and widespread storminess across the Plains, South, and Northwest. However, mostly dry weather prevailed in the Midwest, where weekly temperatures ranged from 8 to 18 degrees F above normal, promoting winter wheat growth and spring fieldwork, including initial summer crop planting. Meanwhile, heavy, mid-week rainfall brought another round of planting delays across the South, especially in already soaked areas from the lower Mississippi Valley eastward across much of Georgia and northern Florida. On the Plains, fieldwork was interrupted by periods of stormy, windy weather, which were interspersed with short stretches of mild, dry conditions. On the northern High Plains, pastures and winter grains benefited from scattered showers, despite significant subsoil moisture shortages. Farther south, storminess largely bypassed central Oklahoma and north-central Texas, where diminishing topsoil moisture reserves began to stress winter grains. Elsewhere, showery weather continued for a fourth consecutive week in the Northwest, aiding winter grains but failing to substantially alter the region's bleak water-supply outlook for the remainder of the spring and summer. Rain fell as far south as central California, but dry weather favored fieldwork in the Southwest. The week opened with lingering flooding and high winds in the Northeast, while a storm system moved ashore in the West. At Trenton, NJ, the Delaware River rose 5.33 feet above flood stage on April 4, 1.93 feet higher than the September 2004 level (following the passage of former Hurricane Ivan) but 3.27 feet lower than the modern-day high-water mark set in August 1955. Eastern wind gusts on April 3 were clocked to 63 m.p.h. in Boone, NC, and 61 m.p.h. in Hot Springs, VA. After mid-week, one storm system reached the Southeast, while another arrived in the West. High winds preceded and accompanied both storm systems, especially across the Plains and the Southwest. Albuquerque, NM, reported peak wind gusts to 52 m.p.h. on April 4 and 54 m.p.h. on April 8. Elsewhere in New Mexico, Clines Corners measured gusts to 69 and 61 m.p.h. on April 4 and 8, respectively. Similarly, gusts in North Platte, NE, reached 55 m.p.h. on April 5 and 51 m.p.h. on April 8. Farther east, thunderstorms produced high winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes across the eastern Plains on April 5. A day later, a significant severe weather outbreak resulted in more than three dozen tornadoes across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Alabama. On April 8, at least a half-dozen tornadoes were reported in California's Central Valley. Early in the week, warmth expanded across the Plains and the Midwest, resulting in daily-record highs in locations such as Kansas City, MO (82 degrees F on April 3), and Mason City, IA (82 degrees F on April 4). Record warmth reached the East on April 6, when highs reached 80 degrees F in Zanesville, OH, Bluefield, WV, and Georgetown, DE. Farther west, daily-record highs for April 7 in Montana included 83 degrees F in both Havre and Miles City. Williston, ND, posted consecutive daily-record highs (82 and 86 degrees F on April 7 and 8, respectively). During the first 10 days of the month, the average temperature of 55.5 degrees F (11.5 degrees F above normal) in LaCrosse, WI, marked its second-warmest April 1-10 period on record behind 55.9 degrees F in 1910. By week's end, however, enough cool air spilled into the Northwest to produce a daily record-tying low of 27 degrees F (on April 9) in Pullman, WA. On April 4, Miles City, MT, received rainfall totaling 0.29 inch, representing its highest 1-day sum since October 29, 2004, when 0.60 inch fell. Five days later, another 0.35 inch dampened Miles City. Farther south, Pensacola, FL, netted a daily-record total of 6.87 inches on April 6, following its 24-hour deluge of 13.96 inches on March 31 - April 1. Similarly, Mobile, AL, collected a daily-record total of 3.25 inches on April 6, just days after an 8.30-inch downpour on March 31 - April 1. Heavy rain affected much of the East on April 8, when daily-record totals included 2.89 inches in Miami, FL, and 2.08 inches in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Farther west, Eureka, CA, received consecutive daily-record rainfall totals (1.14 and 1.23 inches) on April 7 and 8. At week's end, heavy snow developed across the central Rockies and central High Plains. By late April 9, snow depths of 1 to 2 feet were common in the Colorado Rockies, with 24 inches on the ground at Winter Park. Elsewhere in Colorado, storm-total (April 9-11) snowfall reached 9.9 inches at the site of the former Stapleton Airport in Denver and 14.6 inches at nearby Wheat Ridge. Farther south, Albuquerque, NM, netted snowfall totaling 0.5 inch on the morning of April 9, representing the city's 17th observance of measurable April snowfall in the last 75 years. Mostly dry weather prevailed across the Alaskan mainland, accompanied by a warming trend. Nevertheless, weekly temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F below normal in parts of western Alaska. King Salmon opened the week with consecutive daily-record lows of -12 and -10 degrees F (on April 3 and 4, respectively). Galena also collected a record low (-26 degrees F) on April 4. From April 1-10, above-normal precipitation totals were confined to a few locations in southern Alaska, including Annette Island (3.65 inches, or 141 percent of normal) and Kodiak (2.68 inches, or 154 percent). Kodiak also noted a daily-record snowfall, measuring 6.9 inches on April 5. Farther south, generally light rain showers accompanied above-normal temperatures in Hawaii. Daily average temperatures were above normal on each of the first 10 days of April in locations such as Lihue, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; and Hilo, on the Big Island. Meanwhile, April 1-10 rainfall totaled 0.51 inch (119 percent of normal) in Honolulu and 3.13 inches (67 percent) in Hilo. National Agricultural Summary April 4 - 10, 2005 Highlights: Mild temperatures prevailed across most of the Nation. In the northern Great Plains, temperatures averaging more than 12 degrees Fahrenheit above normal were favorable for winter wheat development. However, lack of soil moisture remains a concern. Moderate precipitation in the central Great Plains did not significantly hamper fieldwork, while in the southern Great Plains, dry, windy conditions decreased soil moisture. In the Corn Belt, warm, mostly dry weather was favorable for planting and other fieldwork. Thunderstorms brought moderate to heavy rainfall to the Southeast, causing flash floods and maintaining soggy field conditions. Somewhat drier conditions prevailed in the Mississippi Delta, allowing planting to progress. Light to moderate precipitation, including some snow, in the northern and central Rocky Mountains helped to increase soil moisture. Though rains continued to replenish soil moisture in the Pacific Northwest, shortages remain a concern after the dry winter. In the Southwest, mostly dry conditions were favorable for fieldwork. Cotton: Growers had planted 7 percent of their acreage, compared with 11 percent last year and 8 percent for the 5-year average. Planting was most advanced in Arizona, at 19 percent, and Texas, at 15 percent. In California, where wet conditions persisted, only 5 percent of the acreage had been planted, 27 points behind the normal pace. Planting was just getting underway in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Sorghum: Planting advanced to 13 percent complete, 1 point behind last year but 1 point ahead of normal. Texas growers remained the most advanced, with 41 percent of their acreage planted. With dry conditions, Louisiana's crop advanced to 25 percent planted, 16 points ahead of normal. Planting had begun in Kansas, where 1 percent of the acreage had been sown. Rice: Fourteen percent of the acreage had been planted, 16 points behind last year and 7 points behind the 5-year average. Planting progressed rapidly in the southernmost growing areas, advancing 27 points in Louisiana and 20 points in Texas, but remained well behind normal. Meanwhile, Arkansas producers, with just 6 percent of their crop planted, were 7 points behind normal. Planting had not yet begun in California. Small Grains: Spring wheat growers had planted 12 percent of their acreage, 3 points behind last year but 3 points ahead of normal. In Washington, where dry conditions in earlier weeks were favorable for fieldwork, 79 percent of the acreage had been planted, 26 points ahead of the 5-year average. Planting neared 40 percent complete in Idaho and South Dakota, while planting was just getting underway elsewhere. Forty-three percent of the Nation's oat acreage had been planted, the same as last year but 6 points ahead of normal. Other than Texas, where oats are generally planted in the fall, planting was most advanced in Iowa and Nebraska, where 73 percent of their acreage had been planted, over 20 points ahead of normal. Only in Minnesota and Ohio did progress trail the normal pace. Barley producers had seeded 11 percent of their crop, 10 points behind last year but the same as the 5-year average. Washington growers led the way, with 48 percent of their acreage planted, 12 points ahead of normal. Planting had not yet begun in Minnesota and was just getting underway in North Dakota. Other Crops: Eleven percent of the sugarbeet acreage had been planted, compared with 20 percent last year and 12 percent for the 5-year average. Though planting had not begun in the Red River Valley area, Idaho and Michigan growers had planted about one-third of their acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 1 NA 4 3 AZ : 19 NA 15 20 AR : 0 NA 0 0 CA : 5 NA 54 32 GA : 1 NA 1 2 KS : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 1 NA 4 2 MS : 0 NA 1 1 MO : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 0 NA 0 0 SC : 1 NA 3 2 TN : 0 NA 1 0 TX : 15 NA 17 13 : 14 Sts: 7 NA 11 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 8 1 18 15 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 0 0 KS : 1 0 0 0 LA : 25 2 24 9 MO : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 2 1 2 1 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 41 33 44 39 : 11 Sts: 13 10 14 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 6 1 28 13 CA : 0 0 0 0 LA : 46 19 71 60 MS : 4 0 18 10 MO : 7 0 0 1 TX : 44 24 69 62 : 6 Sts : 14 5 30 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 38 NA 52 35 MN : 1 NA 8 4 MT : 6 NA 11 5 ND : 3 NA 5 3 SD : 39 NA 40 24 WA : 79 NA 76 53 : 6 Sts : 12 NA 15 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 73 NA 57 46 MN : 4 NA 21 11 NE : 73 NA 60 49 ND : 4 NA 2 1 OH : 10 NA 12 23 PA : 15 NA 13 15 SD : 33 NA 35 19 TX : 100 NA 100 100 WI : 16 NA 17 10 : 8 Sts : 43 NA 43 37 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 67% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 21 NA 37 27 MN : 0 NA 8 4 MT : 11 NA 31 12 ND : 1 NA 2 1 WA : 48 NA 67 36 : 5 Sts : 11 NA 21 11 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 81% of last year's barley acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2000- State:Apr 10,:Apr 3, :Apr 10,: 2004 : 2005 : 2005 : 2004 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 34 NA 73 47 MI : 32 NA 43 20 MN : 0 NA 1 0 ND : 0 NA 1 1 : 4 Sts : 11 NA 20 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 82% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States Week Ending Apr 10, 2005 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 9 45 42 4 CA : 0 0 5 35 60 CO : 2 9 25 47 17 ID : 0 0 8 77 15 IL : 1 9 28 52 10 IN : 1 6 24 58 11 KS : 1 3 20 54 22 MI : 3 7 25 58 7 MO : 2 12 31 50 5 MT : 2 7 33 47 11 NE : 1 4 28 52 15 NC : 0 3 20 66 11 OH : 1 4 23 55 17 OK : 1 5 31 50 13 OR : 0 5 22 68 5 SD : 1 3 23 58 15 TX : 1 6 22 48 23 WA : 1 2 25 59 13 : 18 Sts : 1 5 24 53 17 : Prev Wk : 1 5 26 52 16 Prev Yr : 7 14 31 39 9 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2004 planted acres. Crop Progress and Condition Survey and Estimating Procedures Survey Procedures: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data that are collected each week from early April to the end of November. The Crop progress and condition surveys are non-probability surveys that include a sample of more than 5,000 reporters whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these reporters subjectively estimate progress of farmers' activities and progress of crops through their stages of development. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions. Most reporters complete their questionnaire on Friday or early Monday morning and submit it to the Agricultural Statistics Service's office in their State by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of the time that the questionnaire is completed, reporters are asked to report for the week ending on Sunday. For reports submitted prior to the Sunday reference date, a degree of uncertainty is introduced into the projections for weekend progress and crop condition changes. By the end of the 2001 season, nearly two-thirds of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, about one-half of all data are submitted on Monday morning, which has significantly reduced this projection uncertainty. Reporters are sent written reporting instructions at the beginning of each season and are contacted periodically to ensure proper reporting. Terms and definitions of crop stages and condition categories that are used as reporting guidelines are available on the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) website at: www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/cwterms.htm. Estimating Procedures: Reported data are reviewed for reasonableness and consistency by comparing with data reported the previous week and data reported in surrounding counties for the current week. Each State Statistical Office summarizes the reported data to district and State levels, weighting each county's reported data by NASS county acreage estimates. Summarized indications are compared with previous week estimates, and progress items are compared with earlier stages of development and historical averages to ensure reasonableness. Weather events and reporter comments are also taken into consideration. State estimates are submitted to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) along with supporting comments, where they are compared with surrounding States and compiled into a National level summary by weighting each State by its acreage estimates. Revision Policy: Progress and condition estimates in the "Crop Progress" report are released after 4:00 pm ET on the first business day of the week. 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