Brownfield» 30-90 Day Outlook

NOAA: Past 12 months were warmest Nation has experienced

Greg Soulje — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:52 +0000

Warmer and drier than average temperatures continued for much of the nation in April.

These temperatures, when combined with the first quarter and previous 11 months, calculate to the warmest year-to-date and 12-month periods on record for the contiguous United States.

The Complete NOAA Story

Some drought improvement for the upper Midwest

Greg Soulje — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:37 +0000

La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific transitioned to ENSO-neutral during Spring 2012. With ENSO-neutral conditions expected to continue through the June-August period, ENSO-related climate anomalies did not factor significantly into this outlook.

Over the previous several weeks, widespread soaking rains eased drought conditions in southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico, and a slow moving storm system brought relief to much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.

Widespread rainfall across the upper Midwest also reduced existing drought conditions. In contrast, a combination of abnormal dryness and heat sparked rapid drought development across the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, while near-record heat across the Southeast was interrupted by hit and miss thunderstorm activity.

During the upcoming three month period, drought persistence is expected across the Great Basin and central Rockies due to a dry climatology, while the onset of the monsoon season may bring some relief to portions of the Southwest. Wet short and middle range forecasts and a rainy climatology increase prospects for improvement across the upper Midwest, while persistence is expected across the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley.

In the Southeast, sea-breeze convective activity will likely bring drought relief to Florida and coastal areas, but summer convection – outside of any tropical cyclone activity – is less likely to significantly reduce entrenched and exceptional drought conditions in the Piedmont.

Summer thunderstorms may bring some relief to the drought areas of the Northeast.

Drought Outlook
Palmer Drought Chart
U.S. Drought Monitor

La Nina fading, expected to end soon

Greg Soulje — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:00:11 +0000

Sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean swing back and forth every few years (sometimes more) like an irregular pendulum. The warm phase is known as El Niño; the cool phase—which it has been in for the past two winters—is called La Niña.

According to NOAA’s April 2012 ENSO Diagnostics Discussion, La Niña is fading and will likely be over by the end of April.

The Complete NOAA Story

NOAA: Winter season fourth warmest on record for U.S.

Greg Soulje — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:55 +0000

According to NOAA scientists, warmer-than-average temperatures dominated the northern and eastern regions of the U.S. this winter. Additionally, national snow cover extent was below average.

The Complete NOAA story

NOAA: Over 15,000 Records Broken; March 2012 Warmest on Record

Greg Soulje — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:47 +0000

According to NOAA scienticts, record and near-record breaking temperatures dominated the eastern two-thirds of the nation and contributed to the warmest March on record for the contiguous United States, a record that dates back to 1895.

The Complete NOAA Story