Drought conditions ease in Pacific Northwest

The December 16th drought monitor shows 68% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 1% from the previous week, with 40.5% in D1 level drought or higher, up .2%.

Precipitation across the Midwest was spotty, with a mix of rain and snow across the region. This led to a mostly unchanged update to drought conditions in the region this week. The drought monitor saw mild intensification of drought across most of the southeast, excepting some localized areas that received rainfall. Atmospheric rivers continue to add moisture to the environment and dump plentiful rains in the Pacific northwest, and are expected to persist.

Currently 32% of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought (up 1%), with 32% of soybean acres (up 1%), and 36% of winter wheat acres (up 2%) also impacted. For livestock, 27% of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions (up 2%) with 36% of dairy cattle also in drought (up 1%). National Weather Service forecasts expect above-average temperatures to come to the Midwest and north-central U.S. over the next week, pushing out the currently frigid conditions in the more northern areas. The NWS also sees heavier precipitation likely on the West coast over the next 10 days, with drier patterns likely to favor regions to the south and east.

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