We 1 (2-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released February 10, 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 February 1 - 7, 2009 Highlights: On February 5, Florida's peninsula experienced a freeze similar to the one observed on January 22. Once again, citrus and sugarcane appeared to escape significant harm, while tender vegetables, such as tomatoes, beans, and sweet corn, suffered varying degrees of freeze damage. Weekly temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F below normal in parts of southern Georgia and northern and central Florida, while a marked warming trend was observed west of the Mississippi River. Readings averaged at least 10 degrees F above normal across a broad swath of the High Plains. For much of the week, dry weather prevailed nationwide, except for scattered rain and snow showers across the South and East. Drought continued to expand and intensify through week's end across the southern Plains, where the condition of the winter wheat crop further deteriorated. In the West, however, a late- week surge of Pacific moisture brought much-needed precipitation to California and the Southwest. Prior to the arrival of stormy weather, the Sierra Nevada snow pack held just 10 inches of liquid (54 percent of the average for February 6). Three days later, that number had improved to 12 inches (60 percent of average). In addition, California's 150 intrastate reservoirs held 4.7 trillion gallons of water on January 31, just 61 percent of the normal volume for this time of year. Early in the week, warmth prevailed in the West, while cold air poured into the East. On February 1, Red Bluff, CA (72 degrees F), posted its second consecutive daily-record high. A day later, Salinas, CA (81 degrees F), notched a record for February 2. Meanwhile, snow squalls affected areas downwind of the Great Lakes, where Marquette, MI, received 20.3 inches during the first 4 days of February. Cold conditions largely peaked across the Great Lakes and Eastern States on February 5, when daily-record lows included -29 degrees F in Watertown, NY, and -18 degrees F in Flint, MI. Farther south, Tallahassee, FL (14 degrees F on February 5), experienced its first reading below 15 degrees F since December 24, 1989, when the low dipped to 13 degrees F. Elsewhere in Florida, daily-record lows on February 5 included 33 degrees F in West Palm Beach and 37 degrees F in Miami Beach. For both of those locations, it was the coldest morning since January 24, 2003. Chilly conditions lingered across central and northern Florida into February 6, when daily-record lows dipped to 23 degrees F in Jacksonville and 30 degrees F in Lakeland. An observation site near Inverness, FL, reported a low of 20 degrees F on February 6, setting a monthly record that had been originally established with lows of 21 degrees F on February 15, 1985, and February 14, 2006. In stark contrast, high temperatures climbed above 80 degrees F on February 6 as far north as western Kansas, where daily records included 83 degrees F in Ashland, 82 degrees F in Dodge City, and 81 degrees F in Liberal. Kearney, NE, posted consecutive daily-record highs on February 5-6, reaching 64 degrees F on both days. At week's end, warmth expanded across the Midwest and much of the East, resulting in several dozen daily-record highs. On February 7, highs climbed to 50 degrees F in Flint, MI, and 70 degrees F in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC; Columbia, MO; and Wichita, KS. Warmth in the East followed locally significant snowfall by just 3 to 4 days. For example, Philadelphia, PA, had netted 8.4 inches of snow on February 3-4. Accumulating snow had fallen as far south as the Carolinas, where Elizabeth City, NC (0.2 inch), collected a daily-record amount for February 4. Farther west, heavy rain in southern California on February 5 resulted in a daily- record sum (1.46 inches) in Burbank. Two days later, record rainfall totals for February 7 included 1.41 inches in San Diego, CA; 0.72 inch in Bakersfield, CA; 0.58 inch in Las Vegas, NV; and 0.57 inch in Yuma, AZ. In southern California, February 5-7 precipitation totals reached 7.18 inches at Opids Camp (Los Angeles County) and 3.62 inches at Nordhoff Ridge (Vertura County). Bitterly cold weather returned to Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 15 degrees F below normal across western areas. Nome (-32 degrees F) posted its lowest reading of the season to date on February 3. Meanwhile, heavy precipitation fell across parts of southeastern Alaska, where Juneau netted 14.3 inches of snow during the first week of February. Elsewhere in southeastern Alaska, February 1-7 precipitation reached 11.47 inches at Port Alexander and 6.88 inches at Sitka. Farther south, Hawaii experienced another generally cool week with locally heavy showers in windward locations. On February 3, the high temperature failed to top 70 degrees F in Lihue, Kauai. Meanwhile, February 1-7 rainfall totaled 4.31 inches in Hilo, on the Big Island. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals topped 5 inches in locations such as West Wailuaiki, Maui (5.14 inches on February 2-3) and Laupahoehoe, on the Big Island (5.01 inches on February 3-4). National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary February 2 - 8, 2009 Light to moderate precipitation fell in southern California along the Pacific Coast, as well as in some isolated areas in the central portion of the State. A portion of the central San Joaquin Valley saw up to 4 inches, while in Nevada and Arizona light to moderate precipitation also dotted some areas. The Great Plains and the Southeast received up to an inch and a half during the week. The Rocky Mountains, Corn Belt, and Delta received less than normal precipitation during the week. Temperatures were well above normal through the Great Plains and west to the Rocky Mountains, while much of the Pacific Coast and areas east of the Mississippi River were cooler than usual. Freezing temperatures were experienced in Florida and southern Georgia, as temperatures were 6 to 12 degrees below average throughout the region. California producers made preparations for spring planting in small grain, rice, and cotton fields, while irrigation demands were decreased by this week's precipitation. Berry nursery stock digging was complete and citrus harvest continued. Dormant spraying was nearly complete in fruit and tree nut orchards. Pruning, planting, and disking continued in walnut, almond, and pistachio orchards in preparation for bloom. Winter vegetable harvest continued while spring crop planting preparation continued. Temperatures in Arizona were above normal for the week. Small grain planting was 80 percent complete throughout the State. Durham wheat and barley emergence had occurred on a third or more of the State's acreage by February 8. Vegetable harvest continued. Texas wheat was being irrigated in the Northern High Plains, while land was being prepared for spring wheat in the Trans-Pecos region. Field preparations continued in the Panhandle and portions of Trans-Pecos regions for cotton and corn planting. Pecan pruning and hedging continued in the Trans-Pecos. Freezing temperatures in Georgia prevented cabbage transplanting and damaged some high bush blueberries. Fertilization of wheat was active. Small grains were showing signs of stress from the lack of precipitation. While Florida growers finished potato planting in some counties; plants already in the ground suffered some freeze damage. Varying levels of damage were also assessed in sugarcane fields from this week's freeze. Vegetable harvest continued on winter crops, and many producers worked to cover crops during the week to protect them from freeze. Field preparation was active in spring vegetable fields. Citrus growers took preventive measures by irrigating to lessen the impact of freezing temperatures. Widely scattered reports from the groves indicated some fruit and tree damage. 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