We 1 (1-09)a
Weekly Weather
and Crop Bulletin
National Agricultural Statistics Service
USDA
Washington, D.C.
Released January 21, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For
information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Dawn Keen at (202)
720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
National Weather Summary
January 11 - 17, 2009
Highlights: Mild weather in the West contrasted with bitterly cold
conditions across the Midwest and Northeast. Weekly temperatures averaged
more than 10 degrees F above normal in parts of the West, but generally
ranged from 5 to 15 degrees F below normal in the Midwest and Northeast.
Frigid temperatures below -40 degrees F were noted in portions of North
Dakota, northern Minnesota, and northern Maine. Sub-zero readings occurred
north of a line from northeastern Kansas and central Missouri into western
Virginia, threatening freeze injury to the portion of the soft red winter
crop not covered by snow. Florida's winter agricultural areas escaped the
week without a freeze, but even colder weather arrived on January 21-22. Dry
weather prevailed nearly nationwide, although some additional snow
accumulated from the northern Plains and the Midwest into the Northeast. In
those areas, a prolonged period of cold, snowy weather has stressed livestock
and caused rural travel disruptions. Farther south, beneficial showers were
mostly confined to northern Florida, while cold, mostly dry weather covered
the remainder of the Southeast. Meanwhile, small grains further deteriorated
across the south-central U.S. According to USDA, 55 percent of the winter
wheat and 76 percent of the oats in Texas were rated in very poor to poor
condition on January 18. Across the northern Plains, warm, windy weather
eroded snow cover in western and central Montana, while bitterly cold
conditions persisted in the Dakotas. Elsewhere, mild, mostly dry weather
prevailed in the West, except for some fog and air stagnation across the
Intermountain region. Warm, dry, windy conditions affected much of southern
California.
Unusual warmth prevailed for much of the week in the West, where downtown Los
Angeles, CA, set a record for the most consecutive January days with readings
of 80 degrees F or higher. Los Angeles' streak reached 10 days (January 11-
20), including a daily-record high of 88 degrees F on January 12. The former
record of 7 days was set from January 8-14, 1983. In the San Francisco Bay
area, Moffett Field notched six consecutive daily-record highs (71, 72, 71,
73, 72, and 71 degrees F) from January 11-16. January 13 featured monthly
record highs in California locations such as Santa Maria (87 degrees F;
previously, 86 degrees F on January 16, 1976), downtown Oakland (78 degrees
F; previously, 75 degrees F on January 9, 1962), and the San Francisco
Airport (72 degrees F; tied 72 degrees F on January 9, 1962).
In sharp contrast, bitterly cold conditions gripped the Midwest and
Northeast. On January 13-14, International Falls, MN, posted consecutive
daily-record lows of -42 degrees F. Other low temperatures in northern
Minnesota on January 14 included -48 degrees F in Babbitt and -47 degrees F
in Embarrass. The following day, Bismarck, ND (-44 degrees F), noted a
daily-record low for January 15 and posted its lowest temperature since
January 18, 1950, when it was also -44 degrees F. Meanwhile, Pollock, SD,
recorded -47 degrees F, the lowest temperature there since an identical
reading on February 9, 1994. Elsewhere on January 15, Cedar Rapids, IA (-29
degrees F), set an all-time-record low, edging the mark of -28 degrees F set
on December 28, 1924, and January 12, 1974. The following day, January 16,
monthly records included -34 degrees F in Waterloo, IA (previously, -33
degrees F on January 20, 1994), and -37 degrees F in Caribou, ME (previously,
-33 degrees F on January 11, 1995). Waterloo also tied its all-time-record
low, first set with a low of -34 degrees F on March 1, 1962. A potential
state record low was noted in Maine, where a station at Big Black River,
Aroostook County, registered a low of -50 degrees F on January 16. Maine's
all-time-record low of -48 degrees F was established on January 19, 1925, in
Van Buren. For other locations, the Arctic outbreak featured the coldest
weather in more than a decade. For example, Pittsburgh, PA (-10 degrees F on
January 16), experienced its coldest weather since January 21, 1994, when it
was -12 degrees F. January 16 also featured the coldest weather since
January 1994 in locations such as Cleveland, OH (-13 degrees F), and Detroit,
MI (-15 degrees F). On January 17, both Asheville, NC (4 degrees F), and
Elkins, WV (-18 degrees F), had their coldest day since February 5, 1996,
when the respective lows dipped to -1 and -22 degrees F.
Gusty winds affected the High Plains, where Glasgow, MT, clocked a January
record gust to 72 m.p.h. on the 11th. The following day, Valentine, NE,
recorded a gust to 62 m.p.h. High winds also plagued southern California,
where January 12-13 gusts reached 95 m.p.h. on Laguna Peak and 65 m.p.h. in
Malibu Hills. Elsewhere, showers briefly affected parts of Florida, where
Gainesville (1.31 inches) received a daily-record rainfall for January 13.
Farther north, snow spread from the northern Plains into the Midwest and
Northeast, resulting in daily-record totals in locations such as Bismarck, ND
(5.4 inches on January 13); Peoria, IL (5.7 inches on January 14); and
Columbus, OH (5.6 inches on January 14). Snow squalls continued for several
days downwind of the Great Lakes, where daily records included 6.5 inches (on
January 15) in South Bend, IN, and 14.8 inches (on January 17) in Muskegon,
MI.
Mild, wet weather prevailed in Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged as
much as 20 degrees F above normal. In fact, a multitude of January record
highs were established. On January 16, for example, Fairbanks notched a
monthly record high of 52 degrees F (previously, 50 degrees F on January 15,
1981), following a string of 11 consecutive days with lows of -40 degrees F
or below to begin January. Other Alaskan monthly record highs established on
January 16 included 48 degrees F in Central (previously, 43 degrees F on
January 30, 1963) and 45 degrees F in Fort Yukon (previously, 40 degrees F in
January 1927). Anchorage (50 degrees F on January 16) tied with January 19,
1961, for its second-highest January reading behind 56 degrees F on January
7, 1934. In southeastern Alaska, weekly precipitation totaled 8.03 inches in
Yakutat, followed by a record-setting rainfall of 7.44 inches on January 18.
Previously, Yakutat's wettest January day was January 11, 1997, when 5.09
inches fell. Meanwhile in Hawaii, cool weather trailed a period of locally
heavy showers. Honolulu, Oahu, received 2.00 inches of rain on January 11,
followed by a daily-record sum of 2.03 inches in Kahului, Maui, on January
16. By Sunday morning, January 18, Hawaiian daily-record lows included 54
degrees F in Kahului and 58 degrees F in Hilo, on the Big Island.
National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board.
For more information, call (202) 720-2397.
Agricultural Summary
January 12-18, 2009
Light precipitation dotted northern Colorado, northern Florida and western
New York, while the rest of the Nation remained dry. The western half of the
country experienced near normal to above normal temperatures. From the Great
Plains, eastward, temperatures averaged cooler than normal. Snow covered
much of the Rocky Mountain range, the Sierra, and the Appalachians. Snow
also blanketed the entire northern tier of the Nation, from the Rocky
Mountains to Maine.
Field work continued in California small grain and rice fields, as growers
prepared for spring planting. Winter wheat was growing well in Tulare
County. Navel orange harvest picked up with good maturity and color,
especially in the southern central valley. Grapefruit and other citrus
varieties were harvested throughout the week. Berry nursery stock digging
and trimming continued. Orchard pruning, fertilizing and spraying continued
in vineyards and dormant orchards. Vegetable crops were thriving in the
warmer weather. Harvest of farmers' market vegetables and herbs continued,
while producers irrigated, fertilized, and treated fields for weeds, insects,
and mildew. Almonds were starting to bud, and pruning and shedding
activities took place in tree nut orchards. Pre-emergent herbicides and
dormant sprays were applied.
In Arizona, temperatures were above normal across the State. Small grain
plantings continued with 50 percent or more complete, Statewide. Alfalfa
harvest remained active, along with harvest of citrus, vegetables, and herbs.
Texas remained mostly dry, threatening an already stressed wheat crop.
Cotton field preparations were underway in the Northern High Plains and South
Central Texas. In the Low Plains, dry weather allowed harvest to gain
momentum in remaining cotton fields. Corn producers neared completion of
land preparations for planting. Pecan pruning was evident in orchards in the
Trans-Pecos growing region.
Below normal temperatures in Georgia slowed growth in winter forages and
grains. Early planted wheat was showing signs of nitrogen deficiency and
ryegrass control was becoming necessary in some areas. Herbicides were
applied to wheat, as corn, cotton, and soybean seed were ordered for spring
planting.
Dry conditions in Florida kept cool season grains development slow moving.
Preparations for spring field crops were ongoing in some areas. Vegetable
harvest continued and was rushed to prevent freeze loss, particularly in
leafy green crops. Cold weather pushed into the upper citrus-producing
region as dry conditions continued to cover much of the region. Growers were
heavily irrigating, fertilizing, and mowing for picking crews. Early and
mid-season harvesting continued, surpassing it's midpoint of the season.
Grapefruit harvest continued at a rate of over 700,000 boxes per week, and
Sunburst tangerine harvest slowed. Honey tangerine harvest was gaining
momentum and Valencia oranges were nearing harvest.
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