We 1 (2-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released February 18, 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 8 - 14, 2009 Highlights: Pacific storms maintained generally favorable water-supply prospects in the Southwest and eased drought in California and the Great Basin. However, much more precipitation will be needed in California to significantly lessen the effects of the drought that began during the 2006-07 winter wet season. Meanwhile on the southern Plains, early-week showers provided much-needed moisture for drought-stressed pastures and winter grains, although dry weather returned for the remainder of the week. Precipitation also fell elsewhere on the Plains, excluding Montana, with the heaviest snow blanketing southern Nebraska late in the week. Farther east, a band of heavy rain (locally 2 to 4 inches) stretched from the southeastern Plains into the lower Great Lakes region. The rain, combined with melting snow and ice jams, contributed to minor to moderate flooding in several Midwestern river basins. In addition, high winds and isolated tornadoes swept across the southeastern Plains and the Mid-South on February 10-11. High winds also affected a broad area from the Ohio Valley and the Mid-South to the East Coast on February 11-12, downing trees and causing scattered power outages. Elsewhere, locally heavy rain soaked the central Gulf Coast region, while mostly dry weather across Florida's peninsula maintained irrigation requirements for citrus and winter crops. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 10 degrees F above normal across the eastern half of the U.S., except in New England and the lower Southeast. In contrast, below- normal temperatures prevailed in the West, where readings in the Great Basin averaged as much as 10 degrees F below normal. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the average water content of the Sierra Nevada snow pack climbed to 16 inches (71 percent of average for the date) on February 16, up from 10 inches (55 percent) at the beginning of the stormy period on February 5. On February 8-9, snow fell in parts of southern California, where a location near the summit of 5,710-foot Mount Wilson received 5 inches. Impressive snowfall also blanketed Flagstaff, AZ, which received 29.3 inches from February 8-10. Chilly air trailed the early-week Western storminess, resulting in several daily-record lows. In California, records for February 10 included 9 degrees F in Idyllwild, 27 degrees F in Redding, and 29 degrees F in Sacramento. The following day, records for February 11 dipped to 15 degrees F in Montague, CA, and 19 degrees F in Douglas, AZ. Toward week's end, the latest in a series of Pacific storms arrived in California, producing another round of rain and snow. Weekly rainfall climbed to 3.78 inches in Crescent City, CA, aided by a 2.12-inch total on February 11. In contrast, mostly dry weather persisted in the Pacific Northwest, where Seattle, WA (0.64 inch, or 13 percent of normal), completed its driest January 11 - February 10 period on record. Previously, the driest such period occurred from January 11 - February 10, 1994, when 1.27 inches fell. Meanwhile, temperatures soared across the eastern half of the U.S. On February 9, La Crosse, WI, reached the 50-degree mark for the first time this year, 2 weeks earlier than the normal date. Last year, La Crosse's first 50- degree reading occurred on March 26. In addition, La Crosse received no measurable snow during the 4-week period from January 19 - February 15, while the snow depth fell from 10 inches to a trace. The only other years that La Crosse received only a trace of snow during the first half of February were 1913, 1961, and 1987. Elsewhere in the Midwest, daily-record highs for February 10 included 60 degrees F in Flint, MI, and 59 degrees F in both Milwaukee, WI, and Rockford, IL. A day later, Eastern records for February 11 reached 71 degrees F at Dulles Airport, VA; Georgetown, DE; and London, KY. Toward week's end, warmth was relegated to the Deep South, where McAllen, TX (92 degrees F on February 13), notched a daily-record high. Records in Florida for February 14 included 87 degrees F in both Melbourne and Vero Beach. On the southern Plains, Lubbock, TX, received more rain in a single day (0.73 inch on February 8) than during the preceding 115 days (0.22 inch from October 16 - February 7). Farther north, frozen precipitation fell in parts of the Dakotas, where Williston, ND, received 9.1 inches of snow on February 9-10. Elsewhere on the Plains, daily-record rainfall totals for February 9 included 1.07 inches in Imperial, NE, and 1.06 inches in Mobridge, SD. Later, showers and thunderstorms developed from the southeastern Plains into the Midwest and Southeast. From February 9-11, storm-total rainfall reached 2.38 inches in Joplin, MO. Fort Wayne, IN, netted 2.83 inches of rain on February 11, just missing the record for its wettest February day (3.05 inches on February 22, 1990). Across the remainder of the Midwest, rainfall records for February 11 topped an inch in locations such as Indianapolis, IN (1.87 inches), and Lincoln, IL (1.10 inches). Farther south, the year's first deadly tornado struck Carter County, Oklahoma, on the evening of February 10, killing nine people. Both of the previous deadly February tornadoes in Oklahoma occurred on February 22, 1975. During the entire February 10-11 severe weather outbreak, more than a dozen tornadoes were documented, mostly on the southeastern Plains. In addition, high winds swept across the Midwest and East on February 11-12, resulting in official gusts to 71 m.p.h. in Martinsburg, WV; 70 m.p.h. in Wilmington, OH, and 67 m.p.h. in Dunkirk, NY. Toward week's end, a narrow band of heavy snow developed across southern Nebraska and spread eastward. On February 13, North Platte, NE (8.3 inches), collected a daily-record snowfall. The following day, Lansing, MI (4.2 inches), also received a daily-record sum. Cold, stormy weather prevailed at different times across western and southeastern Alaska. Juneau received 13.8 inches of snow from February 8-11, followed by 10.1 inches in Kotzebue from February 12-14. Elsewhere, Cold Bay netted a daily-record rainfall (1.89 inches) on February 12. Meanwhile, locally heavy showers and gusty winds affected windward sections of Hawaii. On the Big Island, daily showers in Hilo resulted in a weekly sum of 3.83 inches. Elsewhere on the Big Island, a wind gust to 58 m.p.h. was clocked at South Point on February 14. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary February 9 - 15, 2009 In the western United States, 1 to 4 inches of precipitation fell over California and central New Mexico. In the east, light to heavy precipitation amounts were received from East Texas through the southern Delta into Florida's panhandle, the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and into western New England. Temperatures throughout the week were warmer than normal east of the Rocky Mountain Range and cooler than normal to the west. In California, as weather permitted, producers were cultivating, irrigating and applying herbicides. Wheat progressed well due to recent rains. Cotton fields were being bedded and rice growers were reshaping berms, fertilizing, and irrigating in preparation for spring planting. Almond blossoming was slowed due to wet, cold weather. Navel orange harvest continued with size and color reported as good, although some drying, due to over-maturity, was evident. Other citrus such as lemon, mandarins, pummelo, and Melo Gold grapefruit were being picked. Vegetable harvest and field preparations continued, but were slowed due to rain. In Arizona, small grain plantings were nearly complete. Emergence had occurred on at least half of the durum wheat and barley acreage. Producers continued to harvest various vegetables, herbs, and citrus crop. Wheat in the High Plains and Southern Low Plains of Texas continued to struggle due to lack of moisture while wheat in the Cross Timbers, Northern Low Plains, and the Blacklands responded well to the showers that passed through during the week. Statewide, wheat condition was mostly very poor to poor and oat condition was mostly very poor to poor as well. Pecans were being pruned and hedged. South Texas producers were harvesting spinach and cabbage while onion harvest began in the Lower Valley. Lack of rainfall continued to stress the Georgia wheat crop. Producers were concerned that spring planting may be delayed as a result of dry weather, especially where irrigation is not available. Blueberries suffered additional freeze damage. Fieldwork was suitable for much of the week and farmers were spraying for weeds and applying nitrogen where possible. In Florida, most vegetable growers reported minor damage to vegetables in the field due to recent freezing temperatures. Vegetable harvesting and planting were delayed due to the cooler temperatures and freezes. With seasonal weather returning to citrus-producing areas, growers implemented irrigating, fertilizing, and hedging programs and continued to harvest early and mid-season varieties of oranges and grapefruit. Although higher droppage and earlier maturity were noted in some groves, juice yields seemed to be unaffected by recent freeze in most areas. 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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