Drought is expected to continue in the Southwest and expand into parts of the Southeast and Virginia-Carolina region in the early season.
In late March and early April, forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center offered their outlook for temperature, precipitation, drought and flooding for the coming months. Overall, they predict above-average temperatures for the East and Gulf Coast regions, while drought conditions continue in the Southwest.
“The Spring Outlook provides critical information for our partners — including those in agriculture, shipping and recreation — allowing them to prepare for what’s ahead this spring and maximize their economic potential,” says Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Graham says according to the report, drought conditions are likely to persist in the Southwest, and above-average temperatures are likely across much of the country, including locations that experienced colder-than-average temperatures and unusual snowfall during the winter.
Moderate-to-exceptional drought conditions currently exist across more than 40% of the continental United States.
“For April through June, above-average temperatures are favored along the southern tier of the country and for the Eastern seaboard with the highest chances for central and south Florida, and an area stretching from the Texas and Louisiana coasts to southern Utah and eastern Nevada,” he says.
Drought Expands Into Parts Of The Southeast, V-C
Pam Knox, University of Georgia Weather Network director and senior public service associate, says the southeastern region was mostly warmer than normal across the northern parts and cooler than normal across the southern part of the region.
“If you look at the daily max and min temperatures separately, you will see that the daily high temperatures were warmer everywhere in the region but especially in the northern half,” Knox says. “By comparison, the daily minimum temperatures were cooler than average over the southern half of the region, particularly in Southeast Georgia and Alabama and in the Florida Peninsula.
For precipitation, Knox says it was very dry almost everywhere except a streak along the Coastal Plain running from the Florida Panhandle up the East Coast. “As a result, drought expanded in Virginia, the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia.”
The East Coast and much of the western U.S. have had below-average precipitation during the winter months, resulting in a low threat of significant spring flooding. However, heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding.
“We do not anticipate widespread moderate or major flooding this year,” says Ed Clark, director of NOAA’s National Water Center.
Stay current with flood risk in your area with the latest official watches and warnings at weather.gov. PG
