Drought conditions increase across most of the interior U.S.

The February 24th drought monitor shows 74.3% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 1% from the previous week, with 51.1% in D1 level drought or higher, up 2.5%. Currently 41% (up 6%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 44% (up 6%) of soybean acres, and 50% (up 4%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 49% (up 9%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 35% (up 3%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Higher than usual snowfall was the dominant story in weather the past week. Much needed snowpack was received in the Sierra Nevada’s, with some areas seeing up to 7 feet of snow. The Northeast corridor was also hit with a large winter storm that caused numerous travel disruptions, but undoubtedly helped to ease drought in the area. Precipitation did not extend in to middle America, with wildfires and high winds continuing in the southern Plains. The Ranger Road Fire is the largest of those, and has spread over 280,000 acres along the western Kansas-Oklahoma border. Containment has been steadily increasing, but rain is needed to help ease potential for further outbreaks.

The National Weather Service expects rainfall to occur in the Southeast and Midwest over the next week. Localized amounts of rainfall in those areas may exceed 2 inches. The forecast expects dryness to continue in the Southwest. Temperatures are expected to remain very warm in the Plains and south-central U.S., with highs potentially topping 90 degrees in portions of Texas. Rainfall is also expected to be light to non-existent in the lower Plains.

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