HandheldWeather.com by WeatherMatrix
© 2002 WeatherMatrix.Net - Redistribution Prohibited. Usage logged.
HandheldWeather.com by
WeatherMatrix
© 2002 WeatherMatrix.Net - Redistribution
Prohibited. Usage logged.
From: jesse{at}weathermatrix.net
Date: Wed Sep 25 2002 - 19:36:19 EDT
Drought Statement No. 12
300 PM EDT Wed. Sep. 25, 2002
In the West: Heavy rain fell across the Great Basin during the first half of
September, providing some relief to the drought area. September 1-15 rainfall
totaled 3.90 inches in Flagstaff, AR, accounting for 45 percent of its
year-to-date total. Similarly, Vernal, UT, reporting 2.35 inches, more than
500 percent of its September 1-15 normal and 57 percent of its year-to-date
precipitation. The rainfall resulted in a reduction in drought severity were
noted across the Southwest, although extreme to exceptional drought
conditions persisted in parts of the region from southern California
northeastward. Meanwhile, very dry weather continued in the West Coast
States, causing an increase in concerns about a lack of moisture for dryland
winter wheat.
In the Plains: Extreme to exceptional drought conditions still cover portions
of the central and northern High Plains. However, recent rains have allowed
the wildfire danger to ease across much of the Plains. Tropical moisture
lingered across Deep South Texas in the wake of
Tropical Storm Fay's dissipation, further easing long- and short-term drought
conditions. A small area of moderate to severe drought persists in
southernmost Texas. Farther north and east, late-season heat and dryness were
favorable for crop, but quickly dried topsoils. The area of abnormal dryness
has expanded across the lower Mississippi Valley and adjacent areas.
In the East: Tropical Storm Hanna moved ashore near Mobile, Alabama, on
September 14, producing heavy rainfall across the Southeast. The heaviest
rain of 4 to 10 inches, with locally higher totals fell from the central
Panhandle of Florida northward to near the triple point between Georgia and
the Carolinas. This resulted in a reduction in drought severity across much
of Georgia, upstate South Carolina, and
southwestern North Carolina. Farther north, tropical moisture interacted with
a frontal boundary to produce a band of heavy rain of locally 2 inches or
more across the Ohio Valley into the northern mid-Atlantic region. This
resulted in improvement of drought conditions from central Ohio into the
northern Mid-Atlantic region and parts of New England. In addition, recent
soil moisture improvements eased stress on Eastern pastures and curbed the
threat of wildfire activity, leaving many areas with primarily hydrological
drought concerns. Between the areas of heavy rain, only scattered, light
showers dampened the central Appalachians and the remainder of the
Mid-Atlantic region, allowing drought conditions to remain. The area of
extreme drought conditions improved in some areas but remains across portions
of southern Virginia and western North Carolina. Extreme drought conditions
now covers the northern half of Georgia into central Virginia, and also
includes parts of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. Scattered
showers provided limited drought relief in the middle Ohio Valley, but only
light rain fell in the lower Ohio Valley, where conditions range from
abnormally dry to severe drought conditions cover the area. Dry weather
prevailed in Lower Michigan, resulting in an expansion of abnormal dryness
and
moderate drought conditions.
Outlook
Wet conditions are expected in the Northeast into the Carolinas due to
tropical activity ion the Gulf and Atlantic. Much of the rest of the nation
should be dry into the first week in October. Later through the second week
rainfall is expected to be below normal across much of the West. Above normal
rainfall is expected in the Plains. Near normal elsewhere. Drought conditions
are expected to intensity in the Northwest. Conditions are expected to
persist with relief at times in the West. Drought conditions are expected to
improve in the Southeast. Further north, drought conditions are expected to
persist with some relief at times. In the Longer term, above normal rainfall
is expected in the Northwest into the northern Rockies. Below normal rainfall
is expected in the central and southern Plains. Above normal rainfall is
expected along the gulf coast northwards along the Atlantic coast.
*Note:This report was made from data compiled from NOAA and other
resources.
Jim G. Munley, jr.,
http://weatherman999.freeyellow.com
*Note: If you want to get rid of the Pop-Up advertisements, download "Pop-Up
Killer" from my web site under links.
====================================================================
StormReports Email List -- TO UNSUBSCRIBE, EMAIL A BLANK MESSAGE TO:
stormreports-unsubscribe{at}wxmatrix-membersonly ; For Options Including
1 Per Day, Temporary Suspending, And More, Visit This Web Address:
http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/stormreports/join
THESE REPORTS ARE MADE PUBLIC ON THE WEATHERMATRIX.NET WEBSITE!
Thank you for using HandheldWeather.com's Handheld / PDA / Palm Content