We 1 (2-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released February 24, 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 15 - 21, 2009 Highlights: Beneficial precipitation continued from California to the Intermountain West. Although February precipitation has slightly improved California's water-supply prospects, the state's reservoir storage stood at just 14.7 million acre feet (4.8 trillion gallons, or 62 percent of the historical average) on January 31. By the 22nd, February storms had added 8 inches of liquid to the Sierra Nevada snow pack, which had a water equivalency of 18 inches (76 percent of average for the date). Meanwhile on the southern Plains, conditions of pastures and fall-sown grains deteriorated under a mild, dry, breezy weather regime. By February 22, USDA rated 58 percent of the Texas winter wheat crop in very poor to poor condition, along with 80 percent of the state's oats and 70 percent of the pastures and rangeland. Farther east, cold weather and occasional snow returned to the Midwest. Snow was especially heavy downwind of the Great Lakes, while below- normal temperatures were most prevalent in the upper Midwest. In fact, a cool weather pattern dominated much of the nation. Temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F below normal in much of North Dakota and were at least 5 degrees F below normal in parts of southern California and the Southwest. In contrast, warmer-than-normal weather prevailed across New England and the southern Plains. Elsewhere, parts of the Southeast received at least an inch of rain, while rain and snow fell in the Northeast. However, little or no rain fell across Florida's peninsula, where citrus producers continued to irrigate to irrigate as the bloom period approached. During the first half of the week, unsettled weather prevailed across California and the Intermountain West. On February 16-17, snowfall in southern California ranged from 18 to 24 inches in several locations, including Mt. Baldy (elevation 7,500 feet) and Lockwood Valley (elevation 5,200 feet). Farther inland, February 17-18 snowfall totals in Utah reached 28 inches at Alta and 18 inches at Ogden. Farther east, high winds swept across the High Plains on February 17, with gusts reaching 62 m.p.h. in Pueblo, CO; 61 m.p.h. in Dalhart, TX; and 60 m.p.h. in Boise City, OK. Toward week's end, the passage of a cold front brought another round of high winds to the southern High Plains, where gusts in the 60 to 70 m.p.h. range were common in northern Texas and western Oklahoma on the night of February 20-21. Meanwhile, warmth briefly expanded across the South and East, accompanied by an increase in shower activity. On February 18, daily-record highs climbed to 84 degrees F in Vicksburg, MS, and 83 degrees F in Monroe, LA. In Kentucky, Bowling Green (1.15 inches) received a daily-record rainfall for February 18. Late in the week, much colder weather returned to the South and East, while a storm system produced a stripe of snow from the Midwest into the Northeast. Both before and after the storm's passage, snow squalls raged downwind of the Great Lakes. In Michigan, Marquette's weekly snowfall reached 18.0 inches, aided by daily-record totals on February 18 and 21 (8.4 and 6.9 inches, respectively). Other daily-record amounts included 9.5 inches (on February 20) in Syracuse, NY, and 8.0 inches (on February 21) in Muskegon, MI. Through February 21, Muskegon's season-to-date snowfall of 145.4 inches represented its highest seasonal total since 1981-82, when a record-high 173.9 inches fell. Elsewhere in the Great Lakes region, Green Bay, WI, saw its seasonal snowfall exceed 70 inches for the second consecutive year for the first time since the winters of 1995-96 and 1996-97. During the second half of the week, significant snow also accumulated in parts of the Northeast, where February 18-21 totals reached 30.0 inches near Warren (Sugarbush Ski Resort), Washington County, VT, and 29.7 inches in Lacona, Osceola County, NY. Farther south, a freeze was reported of February 21 as far south as northern Florida, where daily-record lows included 23 degrees F in Tallahassee and 31 degrees F in Apalachicola. Cold, snowy weather prevailed in western Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 5 degrees F below normal. In contrast, readings averaged at least 10 degrees F above normal in much of interior Alaska. Kotzebue's February 1-21 snowfall climbed to 32.1 inches, aided by a daily-record total of 7.0 inches on February 18. Also on the 18th, Nome's 8.2-inch total represented its third-snowiest February day on record behind 14.0 inches on February 19, 1920, and 9.3 inches on February 12, 2005. Other daily-record snowfall totals included 5.3 inches (on February 15) in Bethel, 2.0 inches (on February 17) in Bettles, and 4.3 inches (on February 19) in McGrath. Farther south, Hawaii experienced cool, mostly dry weather. Although Hilo (on the Big Island) netted a weekly total of 1.18 inches, most (1.01 inches) of the rain fell on February 19. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary February 16 - 22, 2009 With the exception of a few scattered light showers, precipitation was limited to California and the Southeast during the week. Heavy precipitation was evident in California where more than 4 inches fell in some northern areas of the State. Temperatures were cooler than normal across much of the Nation, while isolated areas of warmer than usual weather existed in the Rocky Mountains and in the central and southern Great Plains. Recent rainfall in California continued to promote vegetative growth in field crops. Preparations continued for spring planting as producers cultivated, irrigated, and sprayed herbicides, as weather permitted. Wheat was flourishing and rated in excellent condition in many areas of the State. Cotton field bedding was ongoing and sweet potato hotbed planting also continued. Grape pruning and tying continued. Orchard site preparation was winding down as citrus harvest continued with good fruit quality ratings. Reductions in water deliveries were forecast, concerning citrus growers. Almonds were blooming in the San Joaquin Valley with bee hives set to assist in pollination. Vegetable producers were preparing for spring planting as weather permitted. Harvest of winter vegetables was halted early in the week due to rain. As field conditions improved, field preparation and harvest began at a slowed pace. In Arizona, small grain emergence has occurred on at least three-quarters of the crop. Alfalfa harvest is in full swing with the crop rated in mostly fair to excellent condition. Vegetable harvest continued during the week. Texas wheat responded well to recent rainfall in the Cross Timbers, Northern Low Plains, and in the Blacklands, while acreage in the High Plains and Edwards Plateau continued to struggle due to lack of moisture. Statewide, wheat condition was listed in poor to very poor condition. Cotton field preparation continued in the northern High Plains and the Trans-Pecos, while ginning was completed in the Southern Low Plains. Corn fields were being prepared in the Northern High Plains, and producers without irrigation began dry planting in South Central Texas. Pecans were dormant after pruning and hedging was complete. Onion and potato planting was complete in North East Texas and spinach and cabbage harvest continued in South Texas. Precipitation in Georgia, coupled with warm weather, improved crop conditions across much of the State. Farmers began topdressing small grains. In some areas with limited rainfall, wheat growth slowed. Herbicides were applied and irrigation continued in pastures and hay fields. Florida potato planting was completed in Putnam, St. Johns, and Flagler counties. Growers harvested potatoes in the southern Peninsula. Sugarcane harvest continued with some freeze-damage reported. Spring planting preparations continued in soybean, cotton and peanut fields. While some vegetable fields were replanted due to recent freezes in the southern Peninsula, spring planting of vegetables was complete in southern counties. Mature winter crops surviving the freeze were harvested by week's end. Strawberry harvest was at its peak in Hillsborough County with minimal freeze damages reported. 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