Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary - May 21, 2004 - Rain this week and improved soil moisture for winter grains and corn planting across the dry Northeast China. Rain also improved crop conditions across eastern Ukraine and central Russia. Eastern Europe was cooler than normal, while temperatures were above normal across much of Western Europe.  Persistent dryness continued across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia.  Early rainfall was welcome across central Thailand, helping recharge reservoirs which will be used to maintain Summer crop conditions.  Super Typhoon Nida glanced the northern Philippines causing much structural damage to agricultural interests and early season crops.    

 U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook -  The Climate Prediction Center of NOAA released the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook this week, forecasting drought persistence and changes for the country through August 2004.  While the Western drought might ease somewhat along the northern and southern boundaries, this drought is forecast to continue across much of the Mountain States and the Far Southwest.  CPC also forecasts that drought will return to central Washington State, and northern Oregon.  Also, severe drought (Flash Drought) is expected across northern Texas, western Oklahoma, and western Kansas.  Crop moisture levels should improve across central Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  Also, the persistent dryness across the Southeastern U.S. should ease.   

Palmer Drought Index Map Comparison and May Weather Highlights - These maps compare the soil moisture levels of May 2003 to May 2004 for the U.S.  The Western Drought is very evident from the 2004 map.  Also, on the 2004 map the unusual wetness across West and South Texas is evident.  Also note that the Southeastern U.S. is drier this year than last year.  Warm weather during April 2004 hastened planting and crop progress across the central U.S.  However, two freezes crossed the region in May.  The second freeze during May 14 and 15, damaged wheat into northwest Kansas, some areas where yields were already discounted due to persistent drought. Recent hot weather across the Southern Plains has caused deterioration of crop conditions and hastened maturation of winter wheat. 

U.S. 7 Day Cumulative Precipitation Map - This map prepared by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center shows the precipitation for the 7 days ending May 19, 2004.  Heavy rain fell across the Gulf Coast and Delta States, causing localized flooding and halting field work.  Rain across the Northern Plains, the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast States was very beneficial.  Rainfall was favorable across the entire Corn Belt, especially the drier west.  However, this rainfall combined with rain during the 20th and 21st to cause some flooding and soggy fields, halting summer crop field work. 

China - Percent Soil Moisture - This map also from PECAD's Crop Explorer illustrates soil moisture across eastern China as of May 20, 2004.  While southern China is quite soggy, soils are too dry to maintain good winter wheat and summer crop conditions across the northeast.  Rain is forecast at the time of this writing.

Map of the Path of Super Typhoon Nida - Through May 21, 2004 - Typhoon Nida glanced the Philippines during this past week and caused structural damage to agricultural interests from the central islands to Luzon.  Summer crops were hurt across the very important Cagayan River Valley in the north.  Not related to Nida, early tropical rains fell across central Thailand, helping recharge reservoirs and provide moisture for this summer's irrigated corn crop.