June 2000

WEATHER BRIEFS

Canadian Prairies: Moisture Improves But Temperatures Remain Too Cool

Widespread light to moderate rain fell across the Prairies of Canada during much of May and the first week of June 2000. This rainfall improved top soil moisture for germination and establishment of spring crops. At the beginning of May, dry soils were a particular concern in northern sections of Alberta, including the Peace River Valley. May 1 - 6 were mostly dry. During May 7 - 13, up to 25 millimeters fell in the Peace River Valley, and widespread heavy rain fell across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Drier weather prevailed, favoring fieldwork during May 14 - 20. During May 21 - 27 dry weather again favored planting in southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, but rain returned in northern areas of Manitoba, Alberta and all of eastern Saskatchewan. Producers across the Prairies make an extra effort to plant before June 1, as crops planted after that date face a greater risk of autumn freeze damage. During May 28 through June 3, rains returned to southeast Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, benefitting the crops planted during the prior weeks clear weather. During the last week of May and the first week of June, temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees C below normal throughout the region, with frost or freezing temperatures common in most locations. The outbreak of unseasonable cold, and earlier cold temperatures, will necessitate some local replanting.

Mexico: Showers Provide Moisture for Corn Planting In the South

During the week of May 28 through June 3, 2000, widespread showers boosted soil moisture for corn planting across the Southern plateau Corn Belt of Mexico. Moderate to heavy showers continued from early May, boosting moisture supplies across southeastern Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and part of the Yucatan peninsula). Seasonably dry weather prevailed across most of northern Mexico, with only light rain reported across Chihuahua and Coahuila. During April 2000, seasonably dry weather dominated western Mexico. East-central Mexico received near- to above-normal April rainfall, and the northeast and southeast reported below normal rainfall. Summer crop corn usually accounts for around 85 percent of the country’s corn production, and the crop is planted from south to north during May and June.

India: Normal Start for the 2000 Southwest Monsoon

The following story on the arrival of the year 2000 Indian Southwest Monsoon was prepared by the meteorologists at the NOAA/USDA Joint Agricultural Weather Facility and published in the June 6, 2000 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin.

The southwest monsoon arrived on schedule, bringing beneficial rain (10-25 mm or greater, locally exceeding 50 mm) to much of southern India. Heavier rain (50-100 mm or greater) fell along the southwest coast. The moisture increased irrigation reserves for rice and other summer crops and helped condition soils for dryland planting. Rain fell as far north as the oilseed and cotton areas of western Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Rajasthan. Monsoon rains usually reach drought-stricken crop areas of Gujarat by July. Elsewhere, locally heavy rain (50-100 mm or more) continued over Bangladesh and India’s eastern states, maintaining irrigation reserves for rice, but causing localized flooding. Scattered showers (5-25 mm or more) swept across northern sections of India and Pakistan, increasing local moisture reserves and bringing some heat relief. The monsoon typically becomes established in northwestern sections of the region by mid-July.

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