USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (1/18): Dry Weather Dominates Upper Midwest Despite Precipitation Across

According to today's Weather and Crop Bulletin report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the third week in a row, seemingly incessant storminess in California caused debris flows and extensive flooding, but further padded high-elevation snowpack and boosted reservoir levels.

At times, stormy weather extended into other areas, including the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and Intermountain West. By mid-January, the water equivalency of the Sierra Nevada snowpack topped 30 inches, slightly higher than the typical accumulation during an entire October-March season.

However, record flooding was observed along several California waterways, including portions of the Salinas River. In contrast, mild, dry weather dominated the nation’s mid-section, including large sections of the Plains and upper Midwest.

Although a substantial snow cover continued to insulate winter grains and cover crops across the north-central U.S., other areas—including the southern Plains and northern High Plains—had full exposure to potential weather extremes. Meanwhile, precipitation across the eastern one-third of the U.S. included a mid-winter severe weather outbreak on January 12.

For the full USDA report for Jan. 18, click here.