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Use these links to access detailed analyses of Global and U.S. data.
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| Wet conditions during April 2003 broke a run of three dry months for the West region. Four of the last 5 months have averaged wetter than normal for the Northwest. In the Southwest region, a mixed pattern of precipitation anomalies resulted in the 44th driest April. While recent months reflect improvement in short-term conditions across much of the West, long-term conditions remained dry. May 2002-April 2003 ranked as the 34th driest such 12-month period for the Northwest and 35th driest for the Southwest. |
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Moderate to extreme drought covered about 44% of the western U.S. (Rocky Mountains to west coast) at the end of April. This is a decrease of about 16% compared to last month due to short-term wet conditions, but the 44% figure still indicates lingering moisture deficits. These long-term drought conditions were reflected in below-average snow cover as monitored by snow course measurements, mountain SNOTEL station reports, and satellite observations, as well as by low reservoirs in most western states. The winter mountain snowpack is the source of spring meltwater which fills western reservoirs and is used for irrigation during the spring and summer growing seasons. The low spring snowpack and reservoirs have prompted regional concerns about a long, dry summer (CNN, 4/9).
According to early May (05/04) USDA (Brad Rippey) reports, 40% or more of the range/pasture conditions in the following states were rated very poor to poor:
- New Mexico - 70%
- Maine - 57%
- Colorado - 53%
- Arizona - 45%
- Wyoming - 41%
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several western states and regions.
Central U.S. Drought
| April marked the second consecutive month with drier than normal conditions averaged across the South region, resulting in the 13th driest March-April, 14th driest January-April, and 17th driest April. Heavy rains over parts of the Central, West North Central, and East North Central regions gave these regions slightly wetter than average conditions for the month. However, long-term conditions remained dry, with the East North Central region having the 5th driest November-April, the West North Central region the 19th driest May-April, and the Central region the 25th driest March-April. Minnesota had the driest November-April on record and Arkansas the third driest March-April. |
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Low precipitation and stressed vegetation laid the groundwork for a significant duststorm in the southern Plains. A strong frontal system with winds up to 130 mph swept through southern New Mexico and west Texas on April 15, whipping up a duststorm which closed roads and contribuited to a 10-car pileup that killed two people. According to mid-April USDA (Brad Rippey) reports, winter wheat was rated very poor to poor in the following states:
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April rains improved soil moisture conditions across part of the drought area, but dry soils persisted at the end of April from the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley into parts of the eastern Plains. This is evident in modeled soil moisture departures as computed by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center and the Midwest Regional Climate Center at both the top soil layers and deeper layers.
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| A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several central U.S. states and regions. |
Eastern U.S. Drought
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This month averaged drier than normal for the Northeast U.S., ranking as the 29th driest April in the 109-year record. April 2003 ranked 14th driest for Maine, but persistent dryness in both the short- and long-term gave the state the 6th driest January-April, 7th driest July-April, and 11th driest May-April. This year marks the 3rd consecutive dry May-April for the state.
A detailed review of drought conditions is available for several eastern states and regions. |
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Additional Contacts:
Damage due to the drought has been summarized by NOAA and the Office of Global Programs in the Climatological Impacts section of the Climate Information Project. Crop impact information can be found at the USDA NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) and Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin pages. Drought statements by local National Weather Service Offices can be found at the NWS Hydrologic Information Center. Drought threat assessments and other information can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center. Additional drought information can be found at the National Drought Mitigation Center, the USDA's National Agricultural Library, the interim National Drought Council, and the NOAA Paleoclimatology Program. The following states have set up web pages detailing current drought conditions and/or their plans to handle drought emergencies:
For additional information on current and past wildfire seasons please see the National Interagency Fire Center web site or the U.S. Forest Service Fire and Aviation web site. NCDC's Drought Recovery Page shows the precipitation required to end or ameliorate droughts and the probability of receiving the required precipitation. Additional climate monitoring graphics can be found at the Climate Prediction Center's monitoring pages:
Precipitation and modeled soil moisture anomaly maps for the Midwest U.S. can be found at the Midwest Regional Climate Center's monitoring page. Drought conditions on the Canadian prairies can be found at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Drought Watch page. |
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services DivisionFor further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
Richard Heim-or-
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
Jay Lawrimore
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
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