We 1 (3-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 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 Julie Schmidt at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary March 15 - 21, 2009 Highlights: Warmer-than-normal weather prevailed nearly nationwide, with weekly temperatures averaging as much as 10 to 15 degrees F above normal across the Plains, the upper Midwest, and the Intermountain West. California neared the climatological end of its winter wet season, although a late-week storm provided a few additional rain and snow showers. More consistent precipitation was observed from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies, while dry weather prevailed in the Southwest. Warm, dry weather also covered the nation's mid-section, promoting wheat growth as far north as the central Plains but further stressing parched pastures and winter grains on the southern High Plains. Farther east, warmth expanded across the Midwest, although melting ice and snow caused portions of the Red River of the North and many of its tributaries to climb above flood stage by week's end. Elsewhere, occasional rain showers dampened most areas from the Ohio Valley southward to the Gulf Coast, aiding pastures, winter grains, and newly planted summer crops. However, much of Florida's peninsula remained extremely dry, despite localized downpours near the southern Atlantic Coast. Early in the week, flooding began to subside in the central Corn Belt, including northern Indiana. Along the Tippecanoe River, record crests occurred on March 14 in Indiana locations such as Winamac (5.69 feet above flood state) and North Webster (0.81 foot above flood stage). Previous high- water marks had been established at Winamac on February 20, 1985, and at North Webster on January 2, 1991. Meanwhile, showery, windy weather swept into the Northwest. On March 15-16, Spokane, WA, received snowfall totaling 0.5 inch and clocked a wind gust to 66 miles per hour. Spokane's season-to- date snowfall reached 89.4 inches, behind only the final seasonal totals of 93.5 inches in 1949-50 and 92.6 inches in 2007-08. Early-week snowfall locally topped 1 foot in the northern Rockies, while Helena, MT, received 3.0 inches on March 16. In Idaho, Stanley netted consecutive daily-record precipitation totals (0.25 and 0.83 inch, respectively) on March 15-16. Farther east, warmth expanded across the Plains and Midwest. International Falls, MN, posted a daily-record high of 57 degrees F on March 15, following an 18.8 inch snowfall on March 9-10. The next day, record highs for March 16 included 81 degrees F in Russell, KS, and 80 degrees F in Grand Island, NE. Russell (83 degrees F) posted another record on March 17, along with locations such as St. Joseph, MO (81 degrees F); Lamoni, IA (79 degrees F); Rockford, IL (75 degrees F); and Manitowoc, WI (71 degrees F). Elsewhere in Wisconsin, Green Bay's 106-day streak (December 1 - March 16) with at least 1 inch of snow on the ground came to an end. It was Green Bay's sixth- longest such streak in the last 60 years, and the longest since a record- setting, 124-day period with snow cover from November 22, 1985 - March 25, 1986. At mid-week, warmth spread into the Ohio Valley, where Zanesville, OH (75 degrees F), notched a record for March 18. Later, unusual warmth overspread the West in advance of an approaching Pacific storm. Boise, ID (72 degrees F), collected a daily-record high for March 20, followed the next day by records in locations such as Miles City, MT, and Salt Lake City, UT (both 74 degrees F). Stanley, ID (0.35 inch), received another daily-record precipitation amount on March 21. Elsewhere, significant precipitation was scarce, although rain fell early in the week in the Southeast and lingered for several days across southeastern Florida. At mid-week, some light rain fell from the mid-Mississippi Valley into the Northeast, although amounts were generally less than an inch. In Virginia, Danville (0.99 inch) netted a daily-record sum for March 15. Farther south, March 17-21 rainfall totaled 2.81 inches in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with nearby amounts locally topping 6 inches. However, Ft. Lauderdale recently completed its driest winter on record, with a December-February rainfall total of just 0.39 inch (5 percent of normal). Meanwhile, the northward-flowing Red River of the North climbed above flood stage by week's end as far north as Fargo, ND, with rapid rises noted on many tributaries. By early March 24, the Wild Rice River near Abercrombie, ND, climbed more than 16 feet above flood stage, approaching the March 1897 high-water mark of 17.5 feet above flood stage. A late-season cold wave gripped much of Alaska, holding weekly temperatures more than 20 degrees F below normal across parts of the interior. McGrath noted a low of -35 degrees F (not a record for the date) on March 15. During the first 3 weeks of March, Fairbanks' highest temperature was 28 degrees F on March 12. In the last century, Fairbanks failed to reach 32 degrees F during March only once - in 1919. Toward week's end, precipitation overspread southern Alaska, with Anchorage receiving 5.2 inches of snow on March 21-22. Farther south, cool, dry weather in Hawaii yielded to locally heavy showers in windward locations. On the Big Island, the week opened with a daily-record low (57 degrees F on March 15) in Hilo, followed by 3.10 inches of rain from March 17-21. On Kauai, Mt. Waialeale netted 6.84 inches of rain in a 24-hour period on March 21-22. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary March 16 - 22, 2009 Much of the interior United States received little to no rainfall during the week, except for isolated locations in the Middle Mississippi Valley. In contrast, areas along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf Coasts, as well as the northern Rocky Mountains, received substantial amounts of precipitation, with locations in northern California, eastern Alabama, western Georgia, and the southern tip of Florida totaling over 4 inches of rainfall. Temperatures across the country were above normal for the week with the exception of parts of Washington and Texas and several locations along the Atlantic Coast where averages were slightly below normal. California producers continued field preparations for spring planting and applied herbicides to wheat, oats, and sorghum. Irish potatoes were being harvested, as sweet potato hotbeds were planted. Irrigation was underway in vineyards. Grape buds continued swelling, while bloom continued in apple, peach, cherry, nectarine, pluot, prune, and pear orchards. New growth and buds were evident on citrus trees. Scattered freeze damage resulting from cold temperatures during the previous week was reported in orchard crops in part of the San Joaquin Valley. Vegetable growers planted carrots and both fresh and processing tomatoes. Onions were being fertilized and treated for pests. In Arizona, temperatures remained above normal. Durum wheat and barley emergence was nearly complete, with 15 and 22 percent of the crops headed, respectively. Fruit and vegetable growers actively shipped a variety of different crops during the week. Warm weather coupled with timely rainfall had winter wheat in the Cross Timbers of Texas growing well, while producers continued to irrigate fields in the Plains. Oat crops in the Blacklands were beginning to head, and small grains in the Edwards Plateau area had reached the flowering stage. Corn producers in South Central and South Texas were actively planting their fields. Pre-planting irrigation and fertilization continued in the Northern High Plains. Fall planted onions were growing well in the Trans-Pecos. Georgia producers began planting corn and fresh market vegetables where soil had reached suitable temperatures. Early planted wheat had reached flag leaf stage, as powdery mildew appeared in some fields. Greenhouse tobacco plants were reported in good condition. Field work in Florida proceeded at a rapid pace in preparation for spring planting. Recent showers improved wheat condition in some locations. Producers planted corn and made field preparations for peanut planting, as the sugarcane harvest continued. Many vegetable fields were irrigated despite recent rainfall. Slowed growth was seen in some vegetable crops due to the increased salt concentration in well water. Orchard caretakers reported new growth flush with full, open blooms on many citrus trees. 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