Drought continues to spread in the Plains and Rockies

The March 31^st drought monitor shows 80.0% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 0.9% from the previous week, with 59.9% in D1 level drought or higher, up 3.7%. Currently 44% (up 3%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 44% (up 2%) of soybean acres, and 65% (up 8%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 64% (up 7%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 35% (up 3%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Drought continued to intensify in the western U.S. last week, concentrated mainly in the central Rockies and southern Plains, with lesser impacts still felt across other parts of the region. Low snowpack levels will begin to cause issues as spring begins and the lack of water supplies becomes more pressing in the spring and summer months.

The National Weather Service expects the eastern portions of the Plains and areas around the Mississippi River Valley to receive rainfall varying from 2 to 4 inches over the next week. The high plains are also expected to receive some precipitation, but amounts are forecast lower in the 0.5 to 2.0 inch range. Warmer than average temperatures are expected to continue in the U.S., albeit to a lesser extreme than experienced over the past week.

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