At Least Two Big Storms This Week

In the Midwest, a storm system passed well to the south over the weekend, but did bring through some moderate to heavy rain across the south. That should help to ease some of the ongoing drought concerns, though deficits are still large in many areas. At least two storm systems will move through this week, but neither are expected to help out much of the drought areas. Instead, scattered rain will fall across the south through Friday while a mix of rain and snow develops across the north. Some northern areas are forecast to pick up some heavy snowfall totals, especially when both are combined. A third system may or may not develop across the south and could sneak some snow into southern portions of the region this weekend as well. More systems are forecast next week.

In the Northern Plains, it was largely dry over the weekend and warm temperatures have almost completely melted off the snow. However, two big systems will move through this week, offering up widespread precipitation and a couple of bands of snow. One will go across the north Tuesday and Wednesday with another across the south on Thursday. Another system or two will move through next week as well. Some areas that have seen deficits building and soil moisture dropping will benefit from the more active pattern through the end of the month.

In the Central and Southern Plains, a big storm moved across over the weekend, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms. However, the system missed Nebraska and large portions of the southeast. With how warm and windy it has gotten, soil moisture is falling in a lot of areas. That continues early this week as a system largely misses with precipitation but continues the heat and winds. A second system will bring a band of snow across Nebraska, but little precipitation elsewhere. A third system will be possible for Saturday, with potential for showers, including snow in Kansas, but the prospect for widespread heavy precipitation is absent this week. A couple of systems next week could produce some better precipitation, but that is not guaranteed.

In the Delta, heavy rain fell over the weekend, which helped to ease some of the ongoing drought in the region. Some large deficits remain and an active weather pattern is needed to help to reduce those deficits. A couple of systems will move through this week, but rainfall is forecast to be patchy and overall unhelpful except for a couple of lucky areas. The active pattern continues next week though and more showers will be possible.

In the Southeast, a storm brought widespread precipitation over the weekend, being heaviest in the places that needed it the most. Deficits are still very large for much of the eastern half of the region and more will be needed. Drier conditions are expected the next few days, but a front should go through with scattered showers on Friday into Saturday. Another system may develop along that front this weekend and if it does, could lead to some more enhanced precipitation. The region will get more opportunities next week as well.

In the Western U.S., a big trough moved into the region over the weekend and produced a system that has delivered widespread precipitation, particularly in California. That trough will be sticking around with a couple more impulses of better precipitation throughout the week. The region may get a break over the weekend, but another trough moving in could produce more widespread precipitation in a few waves next week as well. Outside of California, drought is rather widespread. But the pattern favors drought reduction over the next couple of weeks.

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com