Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary - September 24, 2004.  The weather has been generally favorable for the wheat crop in Australia and summer crops in China and the US.  Warm and dry weather allowed planting to proceed in Argentina, while showers continued to impact crops in the Canadian prairies.  Monsoon rainfall returned to parts of India, and serious flooding struck Bangladesh again.   

Locally Heavy Rainfall in Eastern Asia.  Rainfall for the week ending Sept 18, 2004 was above normal along China's coast and northern plains.  Fair weather favored the late rice crop in southern China and the maturing/harvesting of summer crops in Heilongjiang and Henan provinces.  Recent rain in Korea was excessive.  See more weather maps at the NOAA/Climate Prediction Center website.

Above-normal Rainfall Continues in the Yellow River Basin.  China's Yellow River basin, a region which often suffers from drought, has received above normal rainfall all summer.  This benefited rainfed crops and improved moisture supplies for winter wheat planting, but it slowed summer crop development and may have lowered cotton yield potential.  Drier weather from now through October would be welcome.

Untimely Rainfall in North Korea.   Excessive rainfall in July caused locally serious flooding in parts of North Korea.  Drier weather in August favored recovery efforts and improved growing conditions for most summer crops.  Heavy rain returned in mid-September, interfering with the corn harvest and possibly damaging the maturing rice crop.  For more weather data, go to PECAD's  Crop Explorer.

Flooding In North Korea May Damage Crops.  An AVHRR satellite image from Sept 14, 2004 shows flooding along the Taedong River near Pyongyang, the North Korean capital.  From Sept 10 to 14, this region received more than 6 inches of rain, mostly in a single day. This is an important corn and rice- producing region.  The lighter red tones on the Sept 14 image indicates rice and corn are maturing and harvesting has begun..  

Mild Weather in the Western FSU.  The weather was warm and mostly dry in the western FSU last week, ideal for summer crop harvesting and winter crop planting.  Similar conditions were reported in eastern and northern Europe.

United States 7-day Cumulative Precipitation Map Ending Sept 22, 2004.  Cool and wet weather favored winter crops in the Northwest.  Monsoon rainfall eased dry conditions in the Southwest and virtually ended the fire danger.  Snow was reported in the Rockies, while temperatures above 100 F. scorched the southern plains.  Showers increased soil moisture in the northern plains, but temperatures were warm.  Hurricane Ivan dumped heavy rain as far north as New England last weekend, but conditions in the east have been fair since Monday.

Hurricane Ivan - Rainfall in the US Cotton Areas, Sept 12 - 18, 2004.  Ivan caused heavy rainfall in the Southeast - more than 6 inches in many areas.  The rain directly impacted the cotton crop in Mississippi and Alabama, but major cotton-growing districts in the Delta and the southeast coast were unaffected.  

Hurricane Ivan is Reborn as a Tropical Storm.   After traveling through the eastern US, Hurricane Ivan circled back along the Atlantic coast, crossed Florida, and reformed in the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm.  It is now heading toward Texas and is expected to dump up to 10 inches of rain in Texas and Louisiana in the next few days.   Source:  JAWF

Infrared Satellite Image of Hurricane Jeanne and Tropical Storm Ivan - Sept 23, 2004.   Tropical storm Ivan is moving westward through the Gulf of Mexico.  Hurricane Jeanne stalled for several days but is now moving slowly north and west.  High pressure over the eastern US and an approaching cold front will help determine the eventual path of Jeanne.

The Projected Path of Hurricane Jeanne.  Strong winds (100 mph) and heavy rain are expected in Florida from Hurricane Jeanne.  For the latest information, go to the National Hurricane Center website.