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October 12, 1999 US Drought Monitor

For more information on the above experimental drought blends, see http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/experimental/edb/droughtblend-access-page.html#exp.
The drought indicators that are synthesized into the Drought Monitor map are on this website, under Forecasts and Current Conditions.
This summary map is based on a multi-index drought classification scheme.
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North American Drought Monitor


National Drought Summary -- October 12, 1999

The East, South, and Midwest: Heavy rains during October 8-10 from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians reduced drought area and intensity. During the 7 days ending October 12, some of the areas most in need of rain recorded the heaviest rains, including 3 inches or more in W Kentucky, NE Arkansas, western portions of the Carolinas, and SE Louisiana through S Mississippi and W Alabama. As a result, severe drought (category D2) is limited to W Georgia, SW Tennessee, SW Ohio and NE Kentucky. Little or no rain fell in south-central Texas, where severe drought continues.

Outlook: Latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center have Hurricane Irene moving north-northeastward near the west Florida coast by Saturday, October 16. Regardless of the storm's ultimate track, tropical moisture ahead of an advancing cold front will result in heavy rains and additional drought relief for Georgia and NW Florida. The rains will also add to drought relief in W Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In Texas, the latest 6-10 day forecast indicates above-normal rainfall over parts of the drought area. However, the moisture will not significantly relieve drought.

The West: Rain (mostly under 1 inch) falling along coastal Oregon and Washington as well as N Idaho and NW Montana relieved short-term dryness, but little rain fell over the severe drought area extending from SE Washington to E Oregon. Dryness also extends eastward from Idaho into southwestern Montana, but full-scale drought is not widespread in either state. Short-term dryness and fire threat continued across most of California and northern Nevada.

Outlook: No improvement is anticipated as dry conditions are expected to continue in the next 10 days.

Non-contiguous U.S.: Light to moderate rainfall helped crops on the island of Hawaii's east side, resulting in removal of the dry designation (D0) there. Trade wind rainfall benefited water supply reservoirs in the East Maui watershed, resulting in removal of water consumption restrictions for Maui. However, agricultural interests remain under a drought condition. There are no significant dryness problems in Alaska, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

Outlook: In Hawaii, gradual improvement is expected during the remainder of the year as seasonal rains increase.


Author: USDM