Drought monitor notes minor increase in area impacted

The February 17th drought monitor shows 73.3% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up .7% from the previous week, with 48.6% in D1 level drought or higher, up 2%. Currently 35% (up 4%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 38% (up 1%) of soybean acres, and 46% (up 1%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 40% (unchanged) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 32% (up 1%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Precipitation was mostly widespread in the southeast over the past week, with spottier rainfall reaching further north in to the mid-Atlantic states and the lower Ohio River Valley. While those areas saw mild reductions in drought conditions it was not enough to offset the increased dryness in the rest of the country. Snowpack increased slightly in the Sierra Nevada range, but levels still remain historically low for this time of year in the mountain west.

The National Weather Service expects rainfall to be heaviest on the east and west coasts next week, with precipitation further inland possible but substantially lighter as the systems work towards the interior. Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average in the southern U.S. The northern portion of the country is expected to see slightly lower than average temperatures.

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