Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

U.S. Midwest Storm Promises Power Outages, Road Closures

Kansas City, January 3 (World Weather Inc.) – The first major winter storm of the season in the lower Midwest will evolve this weekend. The lack of big storms in the Midwest so far this season has kept commerce flowing freely and holiday travel advanced with very few issues except in the northeastern corner of the nation. An aggressive low pressure center expected to form Saturday in the southwestern U.S. Plains will bring copious amounts of sleet, freezing rain and snow from Kansas and southern Nebraska to Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky. The storm will disrupt electrical power, close some roads and airports and stress livestock. Bitter cold conditions will follow the storm and blizzard conditions may briefly develop as the storm is abating from the region.

Eastern Australia Dryland Summer Crops Need Moisture Boost

Kansas City, January 2 (World Weather Inc.) – Dryland summer crops in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia are experiencing a growing need for greater precipitation. Some locally heavy rain fell in portions of southeastern Queensland during this past week, but a large portion of the state’s unirrigated summer crops and those in New South Wales are in need of significant rain to fix long term moisture deficits and ease crop stress. Periods of hot weather were also noted, which accelerated drying between rain events. Summer grains, oilseeds, cotton, and other crops may have been stressed during the warmest periods. The need for rain is high in order to improve development conditions. Drier and warmer than normal weather will persist for the next seven days in several areas and the environment will further deteriorate for some summer crops. Meanwhile, late-season harvesting of winter grains in southern Australia will continue with few disruptions.

South Africa Rain Will Persist During Coming Week

Kansas City, January 2 (World Weather Inc.) – An active weather pattern was noted in the main production areas of South Africa during the past week. Rainfall was enough to bolster soil moisture and support a better environment for crop developments, though many areas in Free State and North West need additional rain to completely fix the moisture deficits. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue on a frequent basis during the coming week. Localized flooding will be a growing concern in Natal and neighboring locations, though crop and structural damage will be minimal. The environment will otherwise improve or remain favorable for aggressive establishment and growth for the summer grains, oilseeds, cotton, and other crops.