Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary August 1, 2003 -  Europe, especially in the south, experienced another abnormally hot and dry weather this week. Numerous wildfires broke out in southern and central Europe. Rain fell across Victoria, NSW, and South Australia. Portions of the Mexico's eastern corn growing area are becoming too dry. Temperatures and moisture continue to favor the U.S. Corn Belt, with exceptions in the western most growing areas.  Spring wheat has experienced good growing conditions in the Dakota's, but recent heat and dry weather has caused crop conditions to decline in Montana and the Pacific Northwest. 

 Dry Weather Hurts South Africa's Wheat Crop in Cape Province.  South Africa's western wheat crop is suffering from long-term dryness.  Analysis of satellite images indicate that vegetation during mid-July 2003 in the western growing area is much lower than the "Long-term average."

Australia Rainfall Map for July 2003.  This map, provided by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology shows total precipitation amounts for Australia during July 2003.  Distribution was widespread across the major winter wheat areas.  However, amounts were disappointing in some areas considering long-term deficits. The next map shows July precipitation totals, compared to normal. 

Australia - July 2003 Precipitation Compared to Normal.   This map is also provided by the Commonwealth of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.  The long term dry trend continued during July across growing areas across Australia.  Only agricultural areas of Victoria and southern New South Wales received above normal rainfall.  Considering the multi-year drought, July rainfall amounts are disappointing.

South America - 7 Day Cumulative Precipitation Map for the Period Ending July 30, 2003.   This map is provided by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.  Rain this week in South America benefited winter wheat in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina and Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.  Much needed rain also fell across the cocoa region of Bahia, Brazil.  

United States - 7 Day Cumulative Precipitation Map for the Period Ending July 30, 2003.  Summer "monsoonal" rainfall fell in earnest across Arizona and increased across the Four Corners' States. The eastern Corn Belt and the eastern states remained moist.  The PNW and Montana continued to dry out and wild fires increased. 

Western U.S. July Cumulative Temperatures, comparing 2002 with 2003.  July 2003 was hotter across much of the western U.S. compared to last year and normal.  This map illustrates the hot weather this year across Arizona and the Great Basin, as well as showing the heat across the Southern Plains. The Dakota's were cooler this July compared to last.

NOAA 16 Satellite Image of the Pacific Northwest and Montana.  This July 29, 2003 satellite image shows the smoke from "wild-fires" in northern Okanogan Co., Washington and Glacier National Park in Montana.  These fires have been observed burning for several weeks.