Posted on 03/16/2006 7:20:20 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drought that has shriveled crops and sparked fires in bone-dry forests will persist and could even worsen across the Southwest and central and southern Plains through at least June, U.S. government forecasters said Thursday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its spring weather forecast that these regions, which have already seen thousands of acres go up in flames, should brace for a "significant" wildfire season in 2006 as conditions become more severe.
"We need to monitor this drought situation very closely," said David Johnson, director of NOAA's National Weather Service division.
The return of La Nina, an unusual cooling of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures which is the flip side of El Nino, could make the Atlantic tropical storm season especially dangerous.
Indeed, some forecasters have already warned that the number of storms may top the record set just last year.
La Nina developed during the winter and has contributed to the dryness plaguing much of the southern United States.
"It's showing no signs of declining...and the odds that it's going to last into late summer have gone up," said Ed O'Lenic, meteorologist with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
He said La Nina tends to enhance weather "favorable to the development of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic."
Last year was the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 27 named storms and 15 hurricanes. NOAA previously warned that the hurricane season -- which typically peaks between August 1 and late October -- could be active again in 2006.
SEVERE DROUGHT TO LINGER
Severe drought is blanketing the Southwest into the southern Plains and northward into Kansas. Heavy rains have eased dryness for now in Illinois, Iowa and extending south to Arkansas.
But weather forecasters said "ongoing drought concerns may linger."
A scarcity of rain since last fall has parched hard red winter wheat and dried up stock ponds and pastures in the southern Plains. A storm expected to drop up to 2.5 inches of rain this weekend in the Great Plains could be too late to save the winter wheat crop, government forecasters said.
"It kind of remains to be seen how much recovery there will be in wheat. Some of that wheat is getting to...frankly the point of no return" said Brad Rippey, a USDA meteorologist.
"But for just about everything else including pre-planting moisture for summer crops, pasture revival, wildfire control, the rain is nothing but good," he added.
Improved soil moisture will bode well for U.S. soft red winter areas while providing much-needed relief for corn and soybean crops later this spring.
Spring also will bring above normal temperatures for the Southwest eastward into the Southeast with cooler-than-normal conditions for the northern Plains and northern Rockies.
Below-normal precipitation is expected for much of the central and southern Plains, as well as the Southeast and Gulf Coast. Above normal precipitation is favored across the northern Plains and Great Lakes region.
Stingray: Conservative Christian News and Commentary
These grass fires suck. I've seen several the past few weeks just driving to and from work.
Not to worry Arizona pols have plan to address the drought: They are going to approve to build 200,000 more homes! Yes siree, you heard that right. When precious water resources dwindle our leaders will make sure there will alway be greater water consumption demand that exceeds supply.
Well, thanx for that! NOT!
May Saint Francis and the Sovereign Father rain Mercy and Peace upon Man and Beast.
THE CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.
I apoligize in advance to those who find my post 8 inappropriate.
Lord, hear our prayer for rain in your deserts of AZ, TX, OK, NV, NM, AR.
It's Bush's fault.
Time to do the rain dance.
Bush's fault?
Dustbowl ping.
Gonna be a bad summer if we don't get some rain soon....specially around here. Lots of irrigation systems for crops near us though so I suspect they will get to work overtime .
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