We 1 (1-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released January 13, 2009, 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 January 4 - 10, 2009 Highlights: A hazardous combination of melting snow and torrential rain resulted in major flooding in the Pacific Northwest, especially across western Washington. Sudden warmth also melted snow across the interior Northwest, reducing or eliminating winter wheat's protective cover. In contrast, mostly dry weather prevailed across the southern half of the West, including central and southern California. Meanwhile, briefly warmer weather also eroded some of the northern High Plains' snow cover, while warm, breezy, dry conditions maintained stress on the southern Plains' winter wheat. By January 11, USDA rated more than half (52 percent) of the Texas winter wheat crop in very poor to poor condition, up from 16 percent on November 23. Farther north, a deep snow cover persisted across the remainder of the nation's northern tier, from the upper Midwest into New England. In these areas, a sustained period of cold, snowy weather has stressed livestock and frequently disrupted rural travel. Elsewhere, heavy precipitation fell across much of the South and East, excluding Florida's peninsula. In peninsular Florida, warm, mostly dry conditions increased irrigation requirements for citrus and winter crops. However, at least 4 inches of rain fell from central Mississippi into southwestern Virginia, while two more rounds of frozen precipitation (snow, sleet, and freezing rain) affected the Northeast. Temperature patterns were similar to those observed the previous week, with bitterly cold weather confined to parts of the nation's northern tier. In addition, cold air remained trapped across parts of the Intermountain West, especially in snow-covered valleys. Meanwhile, mild weather covered areas from the High Plains into the Southeast, with temperatures averaging more than 10 degrees F above normal in portions of the latter region. Early in the week, cold air settled across the Great Basin and the Intermountain West, resulting in daily-record lows in Randolph, UT (-20 degrees F), and Eureka, NV (-18 degrees F). In Wyoming, readings dipped to - 38 degrees F at Glade Creek, in Yellowstone National Park, and Bondurant. In contrast, early-week warmth across the South produced daily-record highs in locations such as Galveston, TX (76 degrees F on January 4), and New Orleans, LA (78 degrees F on January 5). Meanwhile, a final round of heavy snow overspread the Northwest in advance of a surge of Pacific warmth and moisture. On January 5 in Washington, Spokane's daily-record snowfall of 7.5 inches boosted its total since December 10 to 78.4 inches. Later, however, Spokane's snow depth decreased from a peak of 27 inches on January 5 to just 4 inches by week's end. By January 6, temperatures surged to daily-record levels in Northwestern locations such as Yakima, WA (59 degrees F), and The Dalles, OR (57 degrees F). The following day, precipitation records in Washington for January 7 included 4.82 inches in Olympia and 2.88 inches in Quillayute. In western Washington, records crests were reported along the Naselle River near Naselle (unknown crest due to inundation on January 7) and the Snoqualmie River near Carnation (8.31 feet above flood stage on January 8). Previous records had been established near Naselle on March 18, 1997 (3.76 feet above flood stage), and near Carnation on November 7, 2006 (7.17 feet above flood stage). Elsewhere in Washington, flood waters rose to their highest levels since February 8, 1996, along the Newaukum River near Chehalis (3.00 feet above flood stage on January 7) and the Skookumchuck River near Bucoda (4.22 feet above flood stage on January 8). Meanwhile, heavy rain developed across the interior Southeast, where daily- record totals for January 6 included 3.79 inches in Chattanooga, TN, and 2.69 inches in Huntsville, AL. The following day, Northeastern precipitation records for January 7 reached 1.38 inches in Providence, RI, and 1.25 inches in Worcester, MA. Worcester's precipitation fell in the form of 2.7 inches of snow, along with a significant amount of freezing rain. On January 8, Syracuse, NY (9.0 inches), measured a daily-record snowfall. Another round of frozen precipitation swept into the Midwest and Northeast at week's end, when snowfall records for January 10 included 8.4 inches in Chicago, IL; 6.4 inches in Detroit, MI; and 5.5 inches in Binghamton, NY. Elsewhere, warm weather prevailed during the mid- to late-week period across the South, the High Plains, and the Northwest. In Florida, both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale posted daily-record highs of 86 degrees F on January 7. The following day, records for January 8 included 68 degrees F in Imperial, NE, and 67 degrees F in The Dalles, OR. Late-week records in Texas reached 85 degrees F (on January 9) in San Angelo and 83 degrees F (on January 10) in Victoria. Farther west, downslope winds began to howl at week's end across southern California, where numerous gusts of 60 to 80 m.p.h. were clocked. At Newhall Pass in Los Angeles County, CA, a northerly wind gust to 72 m.p.h. was reported on January 10. Bitterly cold weather entrenched across interior Alaska held weekly temperatures as much as 35 degrees F below normal. On January 8, the community of Chicken along the Taylor Highway in east-central Alaska noted a low of -68 degrees F. In Fairbanks, the temperature stayed below -20 degrees F on 16 consecutive days from December 27 - January 11, approaching its all- time record of 18 such days in 1971. In contrast, heavy snow blanketed much of southeastern Alaska. Juneau measured daily-record snowfall totals on January 4, 8, and 10 (5.9, 12.4, and 6.1 inches, respectively). Through January 10, Juneau's month-to-date snowfall climbed to 49.8 inches. Elsewhere in southeastern Alaska, Lena Point's 45-inch snow cover on January 9 eclipsed its record of 42 inches, set on January 17, 1994. Farther south, tranquil weather returned to Hawaii. On the Big Island, Hilo netted 35.69 inches of rain during the 3-week period from December 14 - January 3, but received only 1.06 inches during the week of January 4-10. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary January 5 - 11, 2009 Moderate to heavy precipitation fell in Washington, focused mostly on the western side of the State. Meanwhile, in the Southeast a band of precipitation stretching from east Texas, northeastward into New England, brought light to moderate moisture. The remainder of the country received an inch or less throughout the week. Temperatures were warmer than normal from eastern Louisiana, northeastward into North Carolina and through the Northwest quarter of the country. The Four Corners, Northern Great Plains, Great Lakes, and portions of New England, saw cooler than normal temperatures. Elsewhere temperatures were near normal. In California, fieldwork continued in rice fields in preparation for spring planting. Work also continued in winter wheat and grain fields with early plantings progressing well in response to recent moisture. Specialty potato harvest was ongoing and planting preparations continued for spring potato beds. California vineyard pruning was evident as old vines were removed and producers were tying vines and spraying herbicides. Berry nursery stock digging and trimming continued, along with stone fruit orchard pruning and spraying. Citrus harvest continued, though some inclement conditions slowed progress. Arizona cotton harvest was nearly complete slightly behind last year and the 5-year average. Alfalfa harvest remained active and grain planting continued across the State. In Texas, small grains were showing signs of stress due to the lack of moisture across much of the State, except in the Blacklands. Cotton harvest continued with mixed yields in the Northern High Plains and good yields were reported in the Edwards Plateau. Texas corn producers prepared for spring planting in the Blacklands and South Central Texas, while in the Coastal Bend, sorghum producers needed more rain before seeding. In the Trans-Pecos region of the Lone Star State, pecans were being harvested. In South Texas, vegetable harvest was ongoing and preparations were being made for potato planting. Recent moisture in Georgia has benefited small grains as winter wheat continued to develop and soil moisture was reported 71 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Small grain fields were soggy from past rains, slowing fieldwork. Wheat in Florida's panhandle was doing well due to recent favorable weather; however more rain is needed to improve development. Florida potato planting continued and nursery crops were barely moving through the market due to a decline in consumer landscaping demands. Sugarcane harvest continued and vegetable irrigation efforts were ongoing as dry conditions threaten the crop's production. Harvest of vegetables and berries were ongoing. Citrus growers continued to irrigate as dry conditions persisted. Early and midseason harvest was in full swing at almost six million boxes weekly. 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. 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