In Cooperation with:
US Department of Commerce-NOAA
USDA Farm Service Agency
WV Cooperative Extension Service
WV Dept. of Agriculture

CROP-WEATHER
BULLETIN

USDA-NASS
West Virginia Field Office
Phone: (800) 535-7088
Fax: (304) 558-0297
Homepage: http://www.nass.usda.gov/wv

SOURCE: USDA/NASS West Virginia Field Office
RELEASED: February 26, 2013
VOL. 13 NO. 02

February Summary of Weather and Agricultural Conditions
January 28 - February 24, 2013

The week ending February 3rd saw temperatures near average, and wild swings in temperatures throughout the week. The first half of the workweek was very warm (and well above average), with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s while only dropping into the 40s and 50s at night. Wednesday was the major turning point for this weather, as a very cold system moved in and was followed by a couple of clipper systems from Canada. The temperatures for the last half of the week were very cold and far below average. At the end of the week a few stations reached the freezing mark, and many dropped into the single digits or below zero. Moorefield had the highest recorded temperature of 75 degrees. Marlinton had the lowest recorded temperature of -6 degrees. The state average temperature was 32 degrees. With the cold front that moved through midweek and the clipper systems that passed over the State, precipitation was far above average. On Wednesday alone, all stations across the State received more than one inch of rain. Most of the precipitation fell as snow in the mountains, but much of the lowlands saw both snow and rain. Near the end of the workweek, several streams and rivers reached flood stage. Bluefield had the highest recorded amount of precipitation with 2.79 inches. Keyser had the lowest with 1.19 inches of recorded precipitation. The state average precipitation was 1.98 inches.

Temperatures for the week ending February 10th fluctuated within a few degrees of the average temperature. The State experienced typical winter weather patterns, where every few days cold fronts and associated precipitation were followed by high pressure, clear skies and cooler temperatures. Charleston had the highest recorded temperature of 66 degrees. Marlinton had the lowest recorded temperature of 9 degrees. The state average temperature was 34 degrees. With only a few low pressure systems moving through the week, most stations recorded below average precipitation. Terra Alta had the highest recorded amount of precipitation with 0.94 of an inch. Beckley had the lowest with 0.03 of an inch of recorded precipitation. The state average precipitation was 0.33 of an inch.

The opening and close of the week ending February 17th presented two different stories. In the beginning of the week, temperatures were well above normal, with most stations reaching the 60s during the day with mild nights; however, after a cold front moved through late in the workweek temperatures dropped, far below average. Most stations ended up a few degrees above or below normal; Bluefield and Martinsburg were farthest from normal. Moorefield had the highest recorded temperature of 68 degrees. Elkins had the lowest recorded temperature of -2 degrees. The state average temperature was 33 degrees. Most of the week was fairly dry, with only a couple of light systems moving through. All stations reported below average precipitation. Elkins had the highest recorded amount of precipitation with 0.73 of an inch. Williamson had the lowest with 0.06 of an inch of recorded precipitation. The state average precipitation was 0.28 of an inch.
 
Most stations reported below average temperatures for the week ending February 24th. Clarksburg, the only station not below average, was right at normal. Even though the week began with temperatures slightly above normal, a few cool daytime temperatures and clear, cold nights dropped the averages. A few stations reached the 60s this week. Williamson had the highest recorded temperature of 65 degrees. Elkins had the lowest recorded temperature of -2 degrees. The state average temperature was 32 degrees. The week was fairly dry. A couple of cold fronts moved through the State, with only minimal precipitation. All stations reported below average precipitation. Parkersburg, Creston, Martinsburg, and Moorefield all received below a tenth of an inch. Bluefield had the highest recorded amount of precipitation with 0.38 of an inch. Creston had the lowest with 0.04 of an inch of recorded precipitation. The state average precipitation was 0.18 of an inch.

For the week ending February 24th, reported topsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus compared with 5 percent short, 90 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus last year. Hay and roughage supplies were 21 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus compared with 2 percent short, 89 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus last year. Feed grain supplies were 3 percent short, 96 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus compared with 1 percent short, 98 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last year. Winter wheat conditions were 1 percent poor, 45 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Range and pasture conditions were 10 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 31 percent good and 1 percent excellent. Cattle and calves were 15 percent fair, 81 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Calving was 27 percent complete, compared to 32 percent last year. Sheep and lambs were 11 percent fair, 86 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Lambing was 29 percent complete, compared to 35 percent last year. Farming activities for the month included calving, lambing, and continued planning for the next growing season.

Temperature and Precipitation Data for the Week Ending 02-24-13	
	Temperature	 Precipitation		
			Weekly	Week’s	Since April 1st
2012	Same Week	Season	
Station	High	Low	Average	Departure	Total	Norm		Last Year	Normal	
--NORTHWEST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
WHEELING	48	12	30		0.14		25.74	40.39		
PARKERSBURG	53	14	33	-3	0.07	0.69	40.08	51.15	36.59	
CRESTON	57	8	32		0.04		37.80	52.33		
--NORTHCENTRAL-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
MORGANTOWN	58	10	33		0.12		31.16	58.81		
CLARKSBURG	55	9	35	0	0.26	0.79	35.21	57.16	39.38	
BELINGTON	54	10	32		0.23		34.74	51.47		
WESTON	56	12	33		0.21		37.80	49.39		
--SOUTHWEST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
WILLIAMSON	65	15	39		0.31		41.40	50.26		
HUNTINGTON	62	15	35	-4	0.24	0.80	37.30	56.93	37.48	
CHARLESTON	60	12	34	-5	0.16	0.83	41.96	49.77	38.58	
RIPLEY	57	14	33		0.09		37.26	51.78		
--CENTRAL-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
TERRA ALTA	50	6	26		0.29		39.93	62.04		
ELKINS	55	-2	29	-4	0.29	0.79	49.82	53.92	40.32	
MARLINTON	54	5	27		0.10		39.97	39.27		
BECKLEY	57	3	31	-5	0.15	0.70	37.03	40.57	35.62	
--SOUTHERN---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
PINEVILLE	58	13	36		0.16		43.04	47.24		
BLUEFIELD	56	7	33	-6	0.38	0.70	45.81	42.88	35.17	
WHITE SUL SP	56	8	33		0.21		31.64	36.21		
BLUESTONE DAM	54	15	33		0.29		33.20	35.21		
--NORTHEASTERN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
MARTINSBURG	54	18	34	-1	0.05	0.59	41.92	48.01	34.19	
KEYSER	53	11	31		0.11		32.94	47.24		
MOOREFIELD	54	12	33		0.06		27.44	39.98		
										
State Average Temperature	32									
State Average Precipitation	0.18									

Source:
Weather comments and data - Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service, Charleston, WV.

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