Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

Russia Flood Threats Increasing Due To Abundant Snow

Kansas City, February 20 (World Weather Inc.) – Above normal precipitation and recent below to well below normal temperatures have helped increase snowpack in western Russia and several neighboring areas in Belarus, northern Ukraine, and portions of the Baltic States in recent weeks. These areas already have abundant to excessive soil moisture beneath the snow. With significant snowpack on top of the wet ground, flood potentials are rising and there is a threat of widespread flooding that could delay early-season planting and general fieldwork across if the situation does not improve over the next few weeks. The former Soviet Union production areas will continue to see a mix of precipitation and sunshine through the end of next week. Snowpack will further increase for several locations and the threat for flooding will remain high this spring.

Brazil Safrinha Planting Weather Good; Will The Pattern Last?

Kansas City, February 20 (World Weather Inc.) – Brazil’s cotton planting is nearly complete while Safrinha corn is only about one-third complete. Corn planting has advanced relatively well so far this season and the trend will likely continue over the next ten days, despite some increase in rainfall next week. The bigger question is how well will the crop perform overall this year? World Weather, Inc. believes the moisture profile will be a little short when the monsoon ends and there will be no extended rainy season this year like that of last year. That will raise some concern over the potential yields for the corn crop since it is dependent upon either timely rain or deep subsoil moisture to carry crops through the dry season. The situation is unlikely to become a crisis, but it may grab the market trade’s attention for a while this spring.

South Africa Rain Will Promote Favorable Late-Season Growth

Kansas City, February 19 (World Weather Inc.) – A large section of South Africa’s main coarse grain, oilseed, and cotton areas saw a good mix of rain and sunshine during the past week. Western sections of Free State and North West did not receive enough rain to completely fix the moisture deficits and additional rain would be welcome. Most locations still had some moisture to support new growth and production potentials remain favorable. A more active weather pattern is slated for much of the country during the coming week as a series of disturbances track over the country. This rain will bolster or keep soil moisture to adequate or excessive levels. The environment will improve or remain favorable for aggressive late-season development.

Western United States Snowpack Still Below Normal

Kansas City, February 19 (World Weather Inc.) – California received significant moisture during the past week that helped bolster mountain snowpack across the Sierra Nevada. Despite this recent influx of precipitation, mountain snowpack across the western United States remains below normal for this time of year. Precipitation over the winter trended below normal in a large section of the western U.S., the central and southern Rocky Mountains in particular. Reservoir levels remain above historical levels in California and there should be enough moisture for the upcoming season. Concerns are otherwise growing for moisture shortages this year in the remaining states where snowpack remains well below normal. California and the Cascade Mountains will see several waves of precipitation during the coming week. Mountain snowpack will further increase, though overall snowpack will likely remain below normal. The Rocky Mountains will also have a few opportunities for precipitation. Snowfall in these areas will marginally bolster snowpack and the need for abundant precipitation will remain high late this month into March.