September 2001

WEATHER BRIEFS

China: Continued Dryness Across North China Plain

Eastern China Received widespread and timely moisture at the end of July and the beginning of August 2001. However, light and spotty rainfall (30 to 50 percent of normal) during the rest of August reduced soil moisture supplies for reproductive and filling summer crops across most of the North China Plain. Recent showers brought some relief to southern Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shaanxi, but most other areas remained mostly dry. Continued dryness on the North China Plain could have a negative impact on the planting and establishment of winter wheat, which normally takes place in September and October. Dry weather also extended southward into the Yangtze Valley last month, favoring single crop and late double-crop rice development. August rainfall was more frequent in Manchuria, especially during the week of August 19 - 25, when the whole region received 10 to 50 millimeters of rain. Heavier rain (50 - 130 millimeters) in central Jilin and south-central Heilongjiang supplied abundant moisture for filling summer grains and oilseeds. Current conditions are favorably warm and dry for summer crop maturation and harvest in Manchuria.

During the first two weeks of August 2001, moderate to heavy monsoon rain covered previously dry sections of India’s southern interior (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and central Maharashtra), providing much-needed relief to cotton, oilseeds, coarse grains, and sugarcane. However, during the rest of August, dry weather returned to this area, reducing moisture reserves for main-season oilseeds and cotton. Monsoon rainfall typically lasts well into October in India’s southern interior. Additional rainfall could extend the cotton harvest and provide farmers with an opportunity to increase rabi grain and oilseed planting intentions. Elsewhere, moderate to heavy showers, throughout August, maintained moisture reserves for rainfed rice in central and eastern India. By months end, however, excessive rainfall amounts did result in flooding, particularly in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

During August 2001, frequent showers helped maintain adequate soil moisture for reproductive to filling corn in the main corn belt. Showers from August 19 - 31, fell across Veracruz, Jalisco, Nayarit, and southern Sinoloa. By the end of August, much-needed rain fell across coastal Tamaulipas and the Rio Grande Valley, increasing reservoir supplies. Also, in the northwest, scattered monsoon showers continued to increase reservoir supplies and favor pastures. During August, temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees Centigrade above normal in the north and near to slightly above normal across the corn growing areas.

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