Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

Indonesia Fires, Drought Far From Being Over

Kansas City, September 11 (World Weather Inc.) – As anticipated, this year’s strong to possibly “super” El Nino has brought drought and wildfires to Indonesia. The situation in Kalimantan (on the island of Borneo) in the heart of Indonesia has the most serious problem with fires. These fires occur periodically in any year during the dry season, but they are particularly severe in El Nino events and this year’s situation seems to have become quite serious. Unfortunately, El Nino’s impact has only recently become severe and we are still at least two and probably three months from any potential change in the situation.

Barge Traffic Should Be Slowed By Low Mississippi River Levels

Kansas City, September 10 (World Weather, Inc.) – Drought in the Upper and Lower Mississippi River Basins and the Upper Missouri River Basin along with recent limited rainfall from portions of the Great Plains into the lower Midwest has caused significant water level declines along the Lower Mississippi River. Water levels are still high enough to support barge traffic along the Lower Mississippi River with a few restrictions, but that should soon change. Runoff from rain Wednesday and that of today in the lower Midwest is not likely to be great enough to prevent the river from reaching the low water level threshold near Cairo, Illinois by Friday night. Significant restrictions to cargo size and tow limits for barges occur once the river drops to the low water threshold.

Western Argentina Needs Rain As Planting Season Approaches

Kansas City, September 10 (World Weather Inc.) – Precipitation in Argentina so far this month has been limited, but that followed a wetter biased pattern for at least some parts of the nation in August. At least another week of drier than normal weather is in store for much of crop country, which will continue the drying trend. Sunseed planting is already underway in a few locations with more widespread planting occurring late this month into October. The need for more significant rain will increase late this month into early October to improve planting and establishment of the coarse grains, oilseeds, and other summer crops produced in Argentina.

South Africa Winter Wheat Will Receive Much-Needed Rain

Kansas City, September 10 (World Weather Inc.) – While many areas in eastern and central South Africa were wetter than usual in recent weeks, far western parts of Western Cape and portions of Northern Cape received below normal precipitation. Western Cape is a major producer of winter wheat in South Africa, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the crop. Much of the wheat is rain-fed and the ground became too dry for ideal growth. Planted-acreage is suspected of being reduced in part due to the dryness, along with the potential for a drier and warmer summer in parts of crop country due to El Nino. However, a strong frontal boundary will bring timely rain to a large section of South Africa this weekend and early next week. Rainfall will alleviate some of the dryness in Western Cape and should improve short-term wheat development. There will still be need for more rain later this month and early October to further improve overall production potentials.