Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

West Texas, Oklahoma Cotton To Trend Wetter

Kansas City, September 24 (World Weather Inc.) – Cotton production areas from eastern New Mexico and West Texas into Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas have had a challenging summer. Most of the region suffered from excessive heat, but a large part of the production region was also suffering from chronic dryness. Irrigated areas may have suffered too. Now, the forecast is beginning to change and for the coming week there is a good potential that rain will fall more abundantly and frequently. The moisture will be good in bolstering soil moisture for winter crops and grazing conditions, but not so welcome for cotton fiber quality. Some discoloring is possible and there is some growing concern about Hurricane Polo and its remnants possibly bringing excessive rain to a part of the region.

Hurricane Polo Heading Toward Baja California, Mexico

Kansas City, September 24 (World Weather Inc.) – Hurricane Polo rapidly intensified off the western Mexico coastline in recent days. The disturbance will track across the eastern Pacific Ocean during the next several days before turning into Baja California, Mexico early next week. Torrential rain and damaging wind are slated for the southern half of Baja California with some heavier rain likely reaching portions of Sonora and neighboring areas in northwestern Mexico. Rainfall in northwestern Mexico may be enough to slow or delay early-season harvesting and general fieldwork. Crop damage is possible to fruits and vegetable crops in Baja California and to dry bean, cotton and few other crops in northwestern mainland areas of Mexico. The rain will otherwise be beneficial for future planting of the winter grain and oilseeds. In the meantime, monsoonal rain will prevail for other areas in western Mexico into southern and portions of eastern Mexico during the coming week. The precipitation will be welcome for the summer crops that are still in the development stages.

Tropical Storm Surigae To Have No Immediate Crop Impacts

Kansas City, September 24 (World Weather Inc.) – Tropical Storm Surigae evolved over the western Pacific Ocean earlier this week. The disturbance will travel west-northwesterly during the next few days before shifting near or into Japan’s Ryukyu Islands over the weekend and early next week. This disturbance could then track closer to main islands of Japan toward the middle of next week, though confidence is low. Ocean travel will likely be diverted around the disturbance. Minor structural damage will be possible in portions of the Ryukyu Islands as well. However, no major crop impacts are expected.