Southern U.S. notes drought improvements

The July 21st drought monitor shows 65.2% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, down 0.5% from the previous week, with 45.7% in D1 level drought or higher, down 0.8%.Currently 19% (unchanged) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 18% (unchanged) of soybean acres, and 24% (unchanged) of spring wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 44% (down 1%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 31% (down 1%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

The southern U.S. experienced the heaviest rainfall over the last week, resulting in drought improvement along with localized flash flooding in the region. Drier and hotter conditions occurred in most of the Plains and western Corn Belt with those states seeing slight upticks in drought as high temperatures also stressed soil moisture.

The National Weather Service 7-day forecast expects heavy rains to continue in the mid-Atlantic and coastal southeast, with most areas expecting at least two inches of rain. The drought stricken Mountain West is also forecast to receive rain, albeit to a lesser degree. Spotty rainfall with total ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 inches is expected across Arizona and Colorado. Cooler temperatures are also forecast for most of the U.S. as the lingering heat wave in the central U.S. begins to dissipate.

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