We 1 (4-08) Weekly Weather And Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 1, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Dawn Keen at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary March 23 - 29, 2008 Highlights: Cold, wet conditions in the Northwest contrasted with warm, dry weather in southern California and the Southwest. In the latter areas, spring fieldwork advanced with few delays, while Northwestern conditions slowed outdoor activities and limited winter wheat growth. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 5 degrees F above normal in the Desert Southwest, but ranged from 5 to 10 degrees F below normal in the Northwest. Meanwhile, mostly dry weather prevailed across the nation's mid-section, except for a few rain showers on the southeastern Plains and some mid-week snow, mainly in South Dakota. On the central and southern High Plains, winter wheat continued to suffer due to a combination of poor autumn establishment and persistently dry conditions. Farther east, mid- to late- week rainfall (generally 1 to 3 inches) provided unwelcome moisture in the saturated Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys. Most fields across the Mid- South and lower Midwest remained too wet to begin spring planting preparations. Moisture was much more beneficial in the upper Midwest, although 4-inch soil temperatures remained very low (below 40 degrees F). Elsewhere, chilly conditions in the Southeast included a widespread freeze on March 25 and scattered frost the following day. Although producers had some cold-related concerns, temperatures mostly in the range of 27 to 32 degrees F were not expected to significantly affect boot-stage winter wheat, blooming fruits, and newly emerged summer crops. In Georgia, for example, March 23 crop statistics indicated that 15 percent of wheat had reached the boot stage and only 5 percent of the corn had emerged. Although 74 percent of Georgia's peaches were blooming, that crop can typically withstand temperatures similar to those observed on March 25 without major effects. Elsewhere in the Southeast, cool, frequently dry weather promoted summer crop planting and other spring fieldwork. Warmth prevailed early in the week across southern California, where three consecutive daily-record highs were reported from March 22-24 in location such as Anaheim (93, 93, and 88 degrees F) and Fullerton (90, 92, and 87 degrees F). Meanwhile, very cold weather settled into the East. In Maine, Caribou noted consecutive daily-record lows of -14 degrees F on March 24-25. Caribou's previous latest observance of a spring low of -10 degrees F or below occurred on March 19, 1993, when it was -12 degrees F. Scattered readings below -30 degrees F were reported in Aroostook County, ME, on both March 24 and 25. Farther south, daily-record lows for March 25 were established in several Southeastern locations, including Tallahassee, FL (26 degrees F), and Macon, GA (27 degrees F). Several daily-record lows were also set in the Northwest; among them were lows of 5 degrees F (on March 29) in Redmond, OR, 6 degrees F (on March 27) in Alturas, CA, and 19 degrees F (on March 25) in Yakima, WA. Through March 29, the year-to-date average temperature of 19.1 degrees F (5.0 degrees F below normal) in La Crosse, WI, represented its coldest start to a year since 1994. La Crosse posted a high of 50 degrees F on March 26, ending its eighth-longest stretch of sub-50-degree weather at 132 days (November 15 - March 25). In Minnesota, however, Rochester's streak of sub-50-degree readings reached 137 days (November 14 - March 29), the tenth-longest such cold spell during its 123-year period of record. Meanwhile, seasonal snowfall totals continued to mount from parts of the Midwest into New England. In Iowa, Dubuque's July 1 - March 29 snowfall climbed to 76.2 inches (183 percent of normal), surpassing its 1961-62 standard of 75.7 inches. In Wisconsin, Madison's season-to-date total reached 100.7 inches (219 percent of normal), far above its 1978-79 record of 76.1 inches. Farther east, the season-to-date snowfall reached 189.2 inches (181 percent of normal) in Caribou, ME, edging its former mark of 181.1 inches set in 1954-1955. Meanwhile, locations reporting their second-snowiest winter included Burlington, VT (119.5 inches, or 157 percent of normal; behind 145.4 inches in 1970-71), Concord, NH (115.5 inches, or 190 percent; behind 122.0 inches in 1873-74), and Flint, MI (82.3 inches, or 182 percent; behind 82.9 inches in 1974-75). Snowfall also approached record proportions in parts of the Northwest, where the seasonal total in Spokane, WA, climbed to 82.5 inches (184 percent of normal). The only snowier winters in Spokane were 1949-50 (93.5 inches), 1974-75 (89.0 inches), 1992-93 (87.3 inches), and 1955-56 (83.2 inches). Elsewhere in the Northwest, more than 3 feet of new snow blanketed parts of the Cascades, leaving Oregon snow depths at 229 inches at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and 197 inches at Mt. Hood Meadows. Spokane's weekly snowfall totaled 7.6 inches, followed by another 5.3 inches on March 30-31. Daily snowfall records were set at numerous Northern locations, including Coeur d'Alene, ID (9.5 inches on March 28), and Sault Ste. Marie, MI (4.8 inches on March 25). On March 26-27, more than a foot of snow blanketed some spots in Hyde and Sully Counties of central South Dakota. Farther south, high water subsided on creeks and streams across the Mid-South and lower Midwest, but flooding persisted along some main-stem rivers. In eastern Arkansas, for example, the White River crested at the highest level since early-December 1982 in Batesville (12.00 feet above flood stage on March 20) and Newport (8.00 feet above flood stage on March 21), and the highest level since January 30, 1949, near Augusta (12.41 feet above flood stage on March 23). Meanwhile, the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, MO, crested 9.04 feet above flood stage on March 24, representing the highest water level there since May 2002. Elsewhere in Missouri, Springfield set a precipitation record for the second consecutive month, following February's 6.41-inch total with a 9.40-inch sum in March. Springfield's 2-month total reached 15.81 inches, 259 percent of normal. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. National Agricultural Summary March 24 - 30, 2008 Winter wheat producers in Oklahoma were seeing fast growth of the crop, as winter wheat jointing was at 50 percent, moving 12 points during the week. Hail damage assessment was ongoing from recent isolated storm damage. Wheat condition was rated mostly poor to fair in Texas, although conditions improved slightly in the Cross Timbers and Blacklands regions. Elsewhere, winter wheat development continued and producers were scouting fields and spraying for weeds and disease. Little to no snow cover remained across the country. Row crop field preparations continued in most southern growing areas. Cotton planting was 15 percent complete in Arizona, while in Oklahoma, corn was 14 percent planted. Texas corn planting was picking up after a rain delay in the Blacklands and planting continued in the South Central region. Producers in Louisiana were busy planting corn and rice. Planting progress for both crops surpassed last year's pace and the 5-year average pace for the State. In California, sugarbeet fields continued to be planted, and in Louisiana, sugarcane producers continued treating fields with herbicides and preparing to fertilize. Rice planting resumed in the Upper Coast region of Texas due to drier conditions. Vegetable harvest continued in Florida, Arizona, and California. In Georgia, some frost damage was reported to developing vegetable acreage around the State. In California, orchards and vineyards were being irrigated and treated to control weed and insects while bloom spraying was complete. Spring blueberries and strawberries were blooming. The Florida citrus crop was benefitting from some earlier rainfall and grove maintenance was in full swing. In California, citrus growers were irrigating, applying foliar nutrients, and treating to control fungus, insects, and weeds. Harvested groves were topped and pruned. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. 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