Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

Western South Africa Dryness Expanding Across The North

Kansas City, February 12 (World Weather Inc.) – Rainfall in South Africa favored the south during the past week with some rain also noted in portions of central South Africa. Many of the previously dry areas in Northern Cape and western sections of Free State and North West received some needed rain that helped to temporarily improve coarse grain, oilseed, and cotton conditions; though more rain was still needed. Several other areas in eastern South Africa dried down; though, subsoil moisture was still sufficient to maintain relatively favorable crop conditions. Precipitation will often be scattered across South Africa during the coming week with more widespread rain slated for the eastern production areas. The overall environment will remain generally favorable for the main crop region, but there will be an ongoing need for greater rain in the west and north.

Western Europe Flood Threats High As Precipitation Persists

Kansas City, February 12 (World Weather Inc.) – Portugal and several areas in Spain and France were inundated with rain since early this month. A large section of Europe already experienced wetter than usual conditions in January and continued rainfall since then caused severe flooding in several locations in Western Europe. Damage to infrastructure was noted and standing water is likely a concern for several agricultural regions. Wet weather will prevail for at least another week to ten days, notably from France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland into portions of Germany, Italy, and southeastern Europe. The ground will remain saturated for several locations and additional flooding is likely. Europe’s main agricultural areas have ample moisture for planting this spring, which may get off to a sluggish start or be delayed if wet weather continues through March. The need for drier and warmer weather will increase late this month and early this spring to improve early-season planting potentials and winter grain and oilseed development.

Indonesia, Malaysia To See Waves Of Rain In Coming Week

Kansas City, February 11 (World Weather Inc.) – Timely rain in Indonesia and Malaysia in recent weeks continued to support a good environment for rice, corn, sugarcane, oil palm coconut, coffee, tea, rubber and a host of other crops produced this time of year. Only a few locations in Peninsular Malaysia are a little too dry for ideal conditions and would welcome a boost in rain. Waves of precipitation are slated for both countries through the middle of next week that will bolster or keep soil moisture at adequate to excessive levels. Crop conditions will remain favorable. Harvesting of the main-season crops may otherwise advance slowly in the wettest areas. In the Philippines, Mindanao and many areas in northern Luzon Island were drier biased in January. Tropical disturbances promoted periods of heavy rain in portions of southern Luzon and the Visayan Islands in January, which may have damaged a small amount of crops. Mindanao and northwestern parts of Luzon Island will remain drier biased through the middle of next week while other areas in the Philippines see a mix of rain and sunshine.

Mexico Drying Down; Timely Rain Needed In Coming Weeks

Kansas City, February 11 (World Weather Inc.) – Some winter crops are usually planted from late October or November into February across Mexico. Early season sorghum and cotton planting normally begins in late February and continues in March for northeastern parts of the nation. While timely rain and leftover moisture from last year’s monsoon supported good early-season planting, a large section of the country outside the northwest and pockets in the southeast trended drier than usual since the first of the year. The moisture profile remains relatively favorable despite the lack of rain, though the need for timely precipitation is increasing. Precipitation will remain limited for at least another week for much of the country. Warm daytime temperatures will promote aggressive drying and may impact establishment and development rates in the driest locations. The need for more significant rain will increase later this month and early March for the later-planted crops.