Regional Overview
- Above normal precipitation fell across many drought areas during April 2003, especially over parts of the Far West, central Plains, and Great Lakes
- April was dry over the southern Rockies and Plains, and parts of the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and northern Plains and Rockies
- Most of the primary stations in Alaska and Hawaii had drier than normal conditions during April, and the precipitation pattern for the year-to-date (January-April) was generally dry for Hawaii and mixed for Alaska
- April was generally wet at the stations in Puerto Rico (as seen in the 4-week precipitation anomalies ending April 25 and May 2)
- Long-term drought continued across much of the West, from the central Plains to the southern Great Lakes, and over parts of Maine
- Although unusually wet conditions for the last 8 months have ended drought in the Southeast U.S., precipitation deficits remained at the 24-month to 60-month timescales
A percent of normal precipitation map for April, created by the NOAA Regional Climate Centers (HPRCC) from Cooperative Network station data, shows greater detail of the spatial variability of the moisture anomalies.
The long-term dryness is also evident in the pattern of snowfall anomalies. Season-to-date (July 1, 2002 - May 1, 2003) snowfall has totaled below the long-term average across much of the Far West, central and northern Great Plains, and the Great Lakes region.
|
These overall conditions are evident in the following indicators:
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for the following regions and states:
|
Western U.S. Drought
Moderate to extreme drought covered about 44% of the western U.S. (Rocky Mountains to west coast) at the end of April. This is a decrease of about 16% compared to last month due to short-term wet conditions, but the 44% figure still indicates lingering moisture deficits. These long-term drought conditions were reflected in below-average snow cover as monitored by snow course measurements, mountain SNOTEL station reports, and satellite observations, as well as by low reservoirs in most western states. The winter mountain snowpack is the source of spring meltwater which fills western reservoirs and is used for irrigation during the spring and summer growing seasons. The low spring snowpack and reservoirs have prompted regional concerns about a long, dry summer (CNN, 4/9).
According to early May (05/04) USDA (Brad Rippey) reports, 40% or more of the range/pasture conditions in the following states were rated very poor to poor:
- New Mexico - 70%
- Maine - 57%
- Colorado - 53%
- Arizona - 45%
- Wyoming - 41%
Despite recent pasture improvements, national pasture figures have not yet climbed back to average levels (1995-2002 base period) since falling below that level in August 1999.
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several western states and regions.
Central U.S. Drought
Low precipitation and stressed vegetation laid the groundwork for a significant duststorm in the southern Plains. A strong frontal system with winds up to 130 mph swept through southern New Mexico and west Texas on April 15, whipping up a duststorm which closed roads and contribuited to a 10-car pileup that killed two people. According to mid-April USDA (Brad Rippey) reports, winter wheat was rated very poor to poor in the following states:
- NM: 50% very poor to poor
- TX: 25%
- KS: 21%
- NE: 20%
- CO: 18%
- SD: 16%
- WY: 15%
- OK: 9%
- MT: 7%
- MO: 5%
|
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several central U.S. states and regions.
|
Eastern U.S. Drought
This month averaged drier than normal for the Northeast U.S., ranking as the 29th driest April in the 109-year record. April 2003 ranked 14th driest for Maine, but persistent dryness in both the short- and long-term gave the state the 6th driest January-April, 7th driest July-April, and 11th driest May-April. This year marks the 3rd consecutive dry May-April for the state.
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several eastern states and regions.
|
Additional Contacts:
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services Division NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4876 phone: 828-271-4800 email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
Richard Heim NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
-or-
Jay Lawrimore NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
NCDC / Climate Mon. / Climate-2003 / April / U.S. Drought / Regional / Search / Help
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2003/apr/drought-regional-overview.html
Downloaded Sunday, 12-Oct-2008 09:54:48 EDT
Last Updated Friday, 18-Nov-2005 14:11:35 EST by Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments.
|