Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

Eastern Australia Expecting More Precipitation After Heavy Rain

Kansas City, March 28 (World Weather Inc.) – Torrential rain promoted flooding in several locations of Queensland this week. The rain came at a time when many coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton were maturing or being harvested. Damage to some of the unharvested crops was likely, as were significant quality declines. Open boll cotton may experience some of the most severe quality impacts. Northern fringes of New South Wales also experienced periods of significant rain, though crop impacts were suspected of being minimal. Additional rain is slated for eastern Australia today and again toward the middle of next week. The precipitation will likely keep the ground saturated in Queensland and continue to delay harvesting and general fieldwork.

Southern Texas Rain Ends Long Stretch of Dryness

Kansas City, March 28 (World Weather Inc.) – Rain developed in portions of southern Texas Wednesday night and it continued all day Thursday. The precipitation was the single greatest event to impact the region since the last days of August and first days of September when widespread generalized rain was reported. The middle and upper Texas coast received significant rain in mid-January, but not South Texas and the dryness has impacted most dryland corn, sorghum and cotton in the region. The rain has changed the moisture profile for a while, though follow up rain will be needed later this spring. Today’s forecast models have suggested no follow up rain for the next two weeks.

Hot, Dry and Windy Conditions to Persist in South US Plains

Kansas City, March 28 (World Weather Inc.) – Persistent dry and warm-biased weather has created drought conditions across the southern U.S. Plains since at least the latter half of February. A significant rain event occurred in South Texas and the Texas Coastal Ben d Thursday and overnight; otherwise, hot and dry weather prevailed from western Kansas into central and western Texas and the southwestern desert areas of the United States. Drought is either present or developing in most of the region, although the rain in South Texas has brought relief. Crop and livestock stress are occurring from western Kansas and eastern Colorado southward. In the next 7 to 10 days, minimal to no precipitation is expected to prevail across the region. Periodic warm to hot temperatures will also continue into next week, as well, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma, which will continue to amplify drought conditions and increase crop and livestock stress.

Mainland Southeast Asia Lacking Pre-Monsoonal Rain

Kansas City, March 27 (World Weather Inc.) – March is normally the first month for pre-monsoonal showers and thunderstorms in the mainland areas of Southeast Asia. The precipitation began normally this year and then became sporadic and light as time moved along leaving the ground drier than usual. Early-season planting of corn and rice normally begins at this time of year in a few locations, most notably Vietnam and Thailand before expanding in late April or May as the monsoon season approaches. Cambodia and southern sections of Vietnam and Thailand will see periods of rain during the coming week that will marginally improve the moisture profile. Other areas in mainland Southeast Asia will remain drier than usual and will need timely rain later in April. In the meantime, much of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines outside portions of Luzon Island have ample moisture.

South Africa Crop Prospects Still Favorable Due To Recent Rain

Kansas City, March 27 (World Weather Inc.) – Timely rain continued across the main production areas in South Africa during the past week. The rain, adequate soil moisture and seasonable temperatures promoted a good environment for aggressive growth. Yield potentials are favorable due to frequent rainfall over the growing season. Alternating periods of rain and dry weather are slated for the country during the coming week. Soil moisture will remain at favorable levels for aggressive growth across the region. Some of the earliest-maturing crops are being harvested and as more of the crop matures the need for abundant rain will decrease.