March 17, 2000

March Rainfall Improved Crop Conditions in Parts of the Western U.S.

During the first half of March 2000, precipitation has been more frequent across the western United States, bringing drought relief and improving prospects for year 2000 crops. However, some areas that are experiencing drought missed out on this rainfall. Also, Northern California and the Pacific Northwest continued to receive above normal precipitation, a trend that has continued since November 1999.

The U.S. Analysts of the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division provide the following analysis of western U.S. crop conditions as of March 17, 2000. Satellite imagery, weather data, and crop models are used to monitor crop conditions and report anomalous findings.

Northern California has experienced 9 consecutive weeks of heavy and widespread rainfall. This moisture did much to recharge reservoirs and soil moisture profiles, and increased snow-pack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but has also delayed February and March field work. During March, widespread rain finally reached Southern California, easing drought conditions there, and adding to reservoirs. Rainfall, which usually begins in November or December was practically non-existent this "rainy season" until March. Image 1 is a NOAA 15 satellite image, of California on March 12, 2000, illustrating these weather events.

Image 2 is a NOAA 15 satellite image, dated March 12, 2000, covering Oklahoma and most of Texas. The very good vegetative winter wheat in central Oklahoma and south central Kansas is evident. Drought continues across West Texas and the Edward's Plateau of Texas. Recent rainfall has improved crop conditions in eastern Texas and vegetation has improved due to this increase in moisture there. Finally, irrigated crops in the Texas High-Plains look to be in good condition. Non-irrigated crops there are being stressed due to below normal rainfall. March rains have helped slow the decline in crop conditions there.

Image 3 is a NOAA 14 scene of Kansas and Oklahoma, taken on March 11, 2000. The very good condition of the winter wheat crop in south central Kansas and central Oklahoma is evident from this scene. An area from just north of Hutchinson, Kansas, south to Altus, Oklahoma and Wichita Falls, Texas, has received above normal precipitation since December, 1999, and had adequate soil moisture since Summer 1999. Irrigated crops in western Kansas look to be in good to very good condition on this scene. However, non-irrigated crops in western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and western Oklahoma, were stressed from below normal precipitation since Summer 1999. Drought is also occurring in the northern Kansas counties, especially in the east where drought extends across eastern Nebraska into Iowa. Snow from a recent storm is visible in southeastern Kansas and extends into Missouri.

For more information, contact Carl Gernazio with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, Center for Remote Sensing Analysis at (202) 690-0136.