Map provided by the climate prediction center shows drynes inceasing by area and intensity across the corn belt.
Source: The Mays Report
Latest Seasonal Assessment – Dryness and moderate drought have been increasing both in extent and intensity across much of the Corn Belt region, the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, and much of the Great Plains. Drought is likely to either develop, persist or expand across these areas. Scattered relief may come in the form of cold front passages, or organized thunderstorm clusters (MCS’s), but for the most part, summers are usually a fairly dry time of year for the central part of the nation. For the northern tier states, such as Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and upper Michigan, chances are better for getting frontal passages since these areas reside close to the average position of the polar jet stream during the summer. In the Southeast, drought improvement is expected across Florida and coastal portions of Georgia and South Carolina, due to the greater likelihood of a tropical cyclone affecting these areas, and also from sea-breeze driven thunderstorm activity. Across the Southwest, at least some improvement is anticipated across much of Arizona and New Mexico, with the seasonal monsoon coming into play. At this time, it is uncertain as to how widespread or intense this year’s monsoon is likely to be. Finally, drought persistence is the best bet across the remaining portions of the Western U.S., given that summertime is usually their dry season.
The complete original report is available here at the NOAA website.
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Posted on June 24, 2012