We’re all thankful for the recent rain over Lake Lanier. But what did it do to affect Lanier’s low waters? And what’s the forecast?
The latest edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor — produced in partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — was released to the public on December 20, 2012.
The Drought Monitor’s Web site says, “Tracking drought blends science and art. No single definition of drought works for all circumstances, so people rely on drought indices to detect and measure droughts. But no single index works under all circumstances, either. That’s why we need the Drought Monitor, a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts, that represents a consensus of federal and academic scientists. The product will be refined over time as we find ways to make it better reflect the needs of decision-makers and others who use the information.”
Click Here for About the Drought Monitor
According to Brian Fuchs, National Drought Mitigation Center:
“Over the last 7 days, much of the eastern United States has received some precipitation, with the greatest amounts at the end of the period over portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, where up to 3 inches of rain was recorded. Portions of the central Plains and Midwest recorded light precipitation from Nebraska and Iowa into South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, where amounts were generally less than 1 inch and most fell on unfrozen soils. This allowed for good infiltration into the top layers of the profile. An active pattern continued in the Pacific Northwest, where precipitation amounts of 2 to 4 inches were common along the coast and several feet of snow fell in the upper elevations. Central Arizona also received some good rain over several days with amounts from 1.5 to 3 inches.
Southeast: Dry conditions through much of Virginia and the Carolinas continued this week, as the last few months have been dry with well below normal precipitation. This week, D2 was expanded out of South Carolina and into North Carolina. In Georgia, D2 was also expanded in the northeast portion of the state, where ponds continue to dry up. In areas of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, a large area of precipitation amounts from 2 to 3 inches was recorded. This helped to bring amounts near normal for the month, but the last 30 to 60 days still show large deficits in many areas. In Alabama, D1 and D2 were improved in the northeast portion of the state where conditions warranted.
Over the next five days (December 19-23) the weather pattern should stay active, with multiple storm systems impacting the country. A vigorous system will be moving out of the Plains and into the Midwest and Great Lakes region and finally into New England over the next 5 days. Precipitation amounts are expected to be in the 0.50 to 2.40 inch range, with the greatest amounts expected over New England. A second system will be coming into the Pacific Northwest with projected precipitation amounts of up to 9.00 inches in southern Oregon and northern California along the coast. Temperatures during this time look to be above normal over much of the eastern half of the country and below normal along the west coast. Extremes will range from 9 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in Oklahoma and Arkansas to 6 degrees Fahrenheit below normal in southern Oregon.
The CPC 6-10 day forecast (December 24-28) is showing a good chance for below normal temperatures over much of the United States, from the northern Rocky Mountains all the way to the southeast. The coldest temperatures are expected over the central Plains to Montana. The best chances for temperatures above normal are in Alaska and the northern Great Lakes into New England. The precipitation pattern stays active, but much of the country will have good chances of above normal precipitation, with the best chances over the southeast and Great Basin.
