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Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.
| Upper Snake River system is at 68 % of capacity. | |
| (Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott) | |
| Total space available: | 1303588 AF |
| Total storage capacity: | 4045695 AF |
A large storm system brought rain and snow to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts along with rain and snow in the eastern High Plains and Midwest. The Northeast remained largely unchanged from last week, with minor improvements in western New York, Pennsylvania and central Maryland where precipitation was 150% to 300% of normal. Further south along the Mid-Atlantic, 150% to 300% of normal precipitation fell, bringing improvements in Virgina, North Carolina and South Carolina. The southern part of the Southeast did not benefit from any of the precipitation that fell elsewhere along the Atlantic coast, bringing further degradations to an already very dry part of the country. The South remained the same as last week, with small areas of deterioration from northeast Texas into southwestern Arkansas, and north and central Louisiana.
A small part of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi saw minor improvements. The High Plains benefited from a rain and snow weather system that moved through the area before the new year. Northeastern Colorado into eastern Nebraska had some improvement. Northern Colorado and Wyoming experienced deterioration without the benefit of the precipitation that fell further east and low snow water equivalent (SWE). The north-central Midwest had some improvements from the same storm that benefited the High Plains. Central, eastern and southern Midwest largely missed precipitation, causing deterioration in eastern Ohio, southern Indiana and Illinois, and eastern and northern Kentucky where groundwater and streamflow remain low. The West saw few improvements, except for New Mexico. Lack of precipitation and low SWE in higher elevations have left areas of Montana and Arizona worse off than last week.
Heavy precipitation fell over the Northeast. Improvements were seen from southwest New York southward into West Virginia. The Northeast has only a few pockets of Abnormally Dry (D0), Moderate Drought (D1), and Severe Drought (D2) conditions. In New York, Long Island was lifted out of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions. In far western New York, increased streamflows improved Severe Drought (D2) conditions to Moderate Drought (D1) conditions in Genesee and Wyoming counties. Moderate Drought (D1) conditions improved southward into Crawford County in northwestern Pennsylvania, with slightly above-normal precipitation and improving soil moisture. Good precipitation and improved streamflow brought improvement from Moderate Drought (D2) to Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to eastern West Virginia into Maryland . These wetter conditions also lifted all Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions along the western Eastern Bay near Baltimore. Conditions along the Atlantic Coast remained status quo.
Heavy precipitation in the Mid-Atlantic region continued the widespread improvements seen last week. The heaviest rain fell from north-central Virginia into western North Carolina and northwest South Carolina, with some areas seeing 2 to 3 inches fall — upwards of 200% of normal. One-category improvements followed this precipitation band. Georgia, which largely missed this week’s precipitation, saw areas of deterioration in the south and central areas. Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions expanded from southwestern Georgia through southern Alabama, and continued into the western Florida panhandle with little precipitation and decreasing streamflows. The remaining parts of Florida remained unchanged. Southern Alabama saw Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions introduced from southwestern Georgia and Moderate Drought (D1) extending further south, leaving 99% of Alabama in a state of Abnormal Dryness (D0) or worse.
Little reprieve occurred across much of the South, with only 5% of normal precipitation falling. Western and central Texas remained unchanged, with a small improvement of Moderate Drought (D1) to Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions in the Panhandle. Parts of southeast Louisiana and Mississippi had small improvements with streamflows slightly improving. This is not the case for much of the South where short- and now long-term conditions continue to decline. Streamflow and groundwater continue to counteract what precipitation is received. Eastern Texas into western Louisiana and southwestern Arkansas saw 1-category degradations for all drought categories. Central Louisiana had Extreme drought (D4) conditions expand northward into Catahoula, Winn, Richland and Concordia parishes. Moderate Drought (D1) in northwest Louisiana extended west into eastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas. Mississippi stayed largely unchanged aside from the slight reduction of Moderate Drought (D1) in the far south. Tennessee saw improvements in the east, with improving soil moisture and benefits from the precipitation experienced in the Mid-Atlantic region. Central and eastern Tennessee, on the other hand, saw Severe Drought (D2) expand northward into Kentucky. Exceptional Drought (D4) was introduced in the South at the tri-boundary with Mississippi and Alabama due to the continued lack of precipitation for the past few months.
A weather system brought rain and snow into the Midwest, mainly in the north. Areas of central Illinois and both southeast and northeast Indiana saw improved conditions. Conditions in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan remain unchanged. Central Illinois and northeastern Indiana had improvement in Severe Drought (D2), Moderate Drought (D1), and Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions. Southern Illinois and Indiana experienced 1-category degradations matching the widespread drying trend in northern and western Kentucky. Much of Kentucky’s precipitation was 25% of normal, adding to already dry conditions spanning the past few months. Most areas of Abnormal Dryness (D0) worsened to Moderate Drought (D1). The Moderate Drought (D1) conditions in northern Kentucky and eastern Indiana increased eastward into western Ohio. Missouri remained status quo except for Moderate Drought (D1) extending over the entire southern bootheel and slight improvement near St. Louis.
A weather system bringing rain and snow moved through the High Plains midweek last week. Central and northern states experienced up to 400% of normal precipitation. Northeastern Colorado and eastern Colorado saw improvements in Exceptional (D4), Extreme (D3), and Severe (D2) drought conditions. These improvements are a continuation of improvements seen last week. The weather system that brought improvements to much of the High Plains largely missed north-central Colorado. Conditions worsened, introducing abnormal dryness and degrading from Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate Drought (D1). Northern Wyoming experienced similar conditions to Montana, leading to small Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) expansions along the northern border with Montana.
Much of the West remains status quo for the week. Precipitation fell across much of the Pacific coast from Vancouver southward into central California. Montana has not benefitted from the recent precipitation, causing small degradations along its border with Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota. Precipitation continues to miss Arizona, mainly the north. Over the past few months Abnormal Dry (D0) conditions expanded northward into southern Utah. New Mexico did see improvements in Extreme (D3), Severe (D2) and Moderate (D1) drought conditions in the interior northwest.
No changes were made in Puerto Rico this week.
A high-pressure ridge inhibited precipitation across the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week (December 27-January 2). Fragments of moisture moving in the otherwise dry northeast flow created localized showers, but rainfall amounts were mostly low. Based on data available at the time of this report, weekly rainfall totals ranged from a tenth to a third of an inch across the islands, with a couple stations on St. Thomas and St. Croix reporting half of an inch. December monthly rainfall totals ranged from about an inch on St. Croix to nearly 4 inches on St. Thomas, with St. John mostly having between 2 and 3 inches of rain. December totals were generally below normal on St. Croix and St. John but above normal on St. Thomas.
According to USGS well observations, the groundwater level on all 3 islands steadily fell this week. Depth to water on January 1: 6.14 feet on St. John, 8.21 feet on St. Thomas, and 33.23 feet on St. Croix. Satellite VHI showed a few areas of vegetative stress.
With December and year-to-date precipitation totals still well below normal, short- and long-term moderate drought (D1-SL) continued on St. Croix. December has been wet but long-term precipitation deficits remained, so long-term severe drought (D2-L) continued on St. Thomas, while St. John continued with a D-Nothing status (no drought or abnormal dryness).
There were no changes made in Alaska this week.
There were no changes made in Hawaii this week.
The weather conditions across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week (December 27-January 2) were similar to last week. Rain kept mostly south of Micronesia, associated with a near-equatorial trough (NET), while trade-wind disturbances (troughs, wind surge, or shear line) brought rain to parts of the region and a weakening South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and unstable air generated showers around and over American Samoa. But for most islands in Micronesia, a dry trade-wind pattern dominated the weather. This is the dry season and fire danger is increasing as vegetation continues to dry out, especially in the Marianas.
Based on data available at the time of this report, weekly rainfall totals were mostly below the weekly minimum needed to meet most water needs, which is 1 inch in the Marianas and American Samoa and 2 inches elsewhere in Micronesia. Guam was wet with 1.98 inches of rain this week while the rest of the Marianas stations had weekly rainfall totals from a half to two-thirds of an inch. The Republic of Palau was wet. Most of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) were dry, with weekly precipitation totals ranging from a tenth of an inch at Pingelap to 1.23 inches at Ulithi. In the Marshall Islands, Ailinglaplap was wet with 2.53 inches of rain this week, but the other stations were dry with reports ranging from 0.26 inch at Mili to 1.95 inches at Wotje. One to four inches of rain was reported in American Samoa.
December 2023 was wet (more than the 4-inch or 8-inch monthly minimum needed to meet most water needs) across American Samoa and most of the Marianas and Palau. Most of the FSM was dry, while parts of the Marshall Islands were wet and other parts dry. December 2023 ranked as the third driest December in 73 years of data at Yap, seventh driest in 73 years at Pohnpei, fourth driest in 38 years at Pingelap, and seventh driest in 41 years at Ulithi. November-December 2023 was the third driest such 2-month period at Ulithi, fifth driest at Yap, and sixth driest at Pingelap.
Changes in the USAPI include the end of abnormal dryness at Ailinglaplap, which had a wet week, while abnormal dryness began at Pohnpei, Lukunor, Nukuoro, and Pingelap, where this week marked the third consecutive dry week (three consecutive dry weeks is a trigger for the initiation of D0-S). In addition, reports of water shortages have been received from Pohnpei, especially in places that depend on water wells. Moderate drought continued on Yap, which had its sixth consecutive dry week, and Wotje, where this week marked the seventh consecutive dry week. Severe drought continued on Ulithi, which had its ninth consecutive dry week. The rest of the reporting stations were free of drought and abnormal dryness.
During the next five days (Jan. 2-7, 2024), more heavy precipitation is expected for the central and northern Pacific coast, with some areas of higher elevation also seeing some moisture. The Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic regions are expected to see heavy precipitation. This centers around southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook (valid Jan. 3-9, 2024) favors above-normal precipitation for most of the country, with high probabilities found in the intermountain West, east of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, Alaska and Hawaii. Only southern Texas is expected to have below-normal precipitation. There is an increased probability of below-normal temperatures west of the Rockies, particularly in the southwest. Following the precipitation trend, areas of probable heavy precipitation in the east also have the probability of being warmer than normal. The Northeast has the largest probability of having above-normal temperatures.
IDAHO: The average temperatures in Idaho were above normal for the month of December. Accumulated precipitation was normal to below normal across the majority of Idaho, with parts of southeast Idaho slightly above normal. In northern Idaho, unusually warm weather and little moisture was reported. In Elmore and Owyhee Counties, all crops had been harvested. Subsoil moisture appeared deficient with frozen topsoil. An absence of measurable snow was reported at low to mid elevations. Beef cattle started to calve with favorable conditions. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported warm and dry conditions for the month, with some concern about the lack of winter moisture accumulation. Field activities included hauling manure from dairies to fields. Blaine County reported dry conditions which allowed livestock to graze longer into the winter months than normal. Bonneville and Madison Counties reported reservoir levels were good with an adequate snowpack. Hay stocks were adequate. Northeast Idaho had higher than normal temperatures with low snowfall for the year.
MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of December 2023. Topsoil moisture 46% very short, 33% short, 21% adequate. Subsoil moisture 48% very short, 31% short, 21% adequate. Winter wheat condition 8% very poor, 13% poor, 36% fair, 26% good, 17% excellent. Winter wheat wind damage 24% moderate, 3% light, 73% none. Winter wheat freeze damage 27% light, 73% none. Snow cover 87% very poor, 10% poor, 1% fair, 2% good. Pasture and range condition 36% very poor, 24% poor, 17% fair, 21% good, 2% excellent. Grazing accessibility 87% open, 5% difficult, 8% closed. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 73%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 72%. The month of December brought above average temperatures and mostly below normal precipitation to Montana. Data from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC) indicate that temperatures ran about 6 degrees above average in the west, and as much as 12-15 degrees above average moving north and east. Moisture received was about 0.75 inch below average to normal for the majority of Montana. In some parts of the northwest, moisture levels were as much as 1.5 inches or more below normal. Only isolated areas of the State received precipitation levels that were slightly above normal. Drought conditions changed significantly according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on December 28, 2023. The amount of land rated drought free fell to 44 percent, compared to 61 percent as reported on November 30. Abnormal dryness was found in 37 percent of Montana, compared to 26 percent on the same November release. Moderate drought stood at 16 percent, and severe drought was found in 3 percent of the State. These conditions were rated 8 and 5 percent, respectively, at the end of November. No major snow events have occurred in Broadwater County since October. The winter thus far has been very mild, especially as compared to last December. Producers were concerned about the future effects of the lack of moisture on the upcoming season. Temperatures were running well above normal in Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties. Moisture levels were below normal. Snowpack in Ravalli County was reportedly 40 percent of normal. Foggy conditions and inversions occurred in Northern Ravalli County, and in parts of Missoula County. Livestock were doing well for this time of year. There was, however, a report of a wolf attack in Ravalli County that resulted in the death of a cow. Lack of moisture remained a concern for the new irrigation season. A reporter from Valley County also indicated that the winter has so far been mild, and moisture was needed.
NEVADA: For the week ending December 31, 2023 - Days suitable for fieldwork 7.0. Topsoil moisture 10% very short, 45% short, and 45% adequate. Subsoil moisture 35% short, 65% adequate. Pasture and range condition 55% poor and 45% fair. There was little to no precipitation during the month. The US Drought Monitor showed nearly 95% of the State had zero precipitation for the entire month. Temperatures remained normal to slightly above normal.
OREGON: Temperatures throughout the State were above average for the month of December. Moisture conditions throughout the State ranged from dry to wet for December. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties reported below average rainfall, but sufficient for fall planted crops. Pastures were in good condition headed into the fall. Nursery and berry crops were also reported in good condition. Benton and Lincoln Counties reported that rainfall was lower than average throughout the month with mild temperatures. However, there were a few large storms that brought roughly 10 inches of rain within a few days and caused some localized flooding. There were no days reported with snow and a few days of freezing temperatures. Many livestock producers were operating under a feed shortage due to the summer drought and some operators sold livestock if they were not able to acquire enough hay to last through the winter. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties reported that manure was spread as a necessity due to tank overfill. The rain and temperatures were reported to be average. Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco Counties reported warmer than normal temperatures for this time of year with a fair amount of precipitation. Livestock were doing well in the warmer temperatures and required less supplemental hay. Morrow County reported that December rainfall wet the seed-zone adequately. Mountain snow was limited and much less than last year. Baker and Grant Counties reported warm temperatures and very little snow compared to normal years. Umatilla County reported precipitation was well below average, and temperatures were above average, with snowpack in the Blue Mountains far below average for this time of year. Crops and livestock were doing well so far this season. Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties reported that pasture had ample water supply, steady rain, and average grazing conditions. Malheur County reported less than average precipitation with snow levels below average for this time of year. Temperatures were consistently above average which left the valley floors free of snow. Foggy conditions with high pressure systems created poor air quality for a portion of the month.
UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of December 2023. Topsoil moisture 5% very short, 7% short, 77% adequate, 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture 1% very short, 10% short, 79% adequate, 10% surplus. Pasture and range condition 1% poor, 12% fair, 85% good, 2% excellent. Winter wheat condition 24% fair, 68% good, 8% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% short, 63% adequate, 36% surplus. Stock water supplies 1% very short, 1% short, 74% adequate, 24% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 10% fair, 75% good, 15% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 15% fair, 67% good, 18% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 65%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 54%. Cows calved 1%. As of December 31, 2023, snowpack in Utah was 68 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, and Grand Counties noted mild warm weather along with limited moisture. Beaver and Box Elders Counties noted that livestock producers were still grazing cattle instead of feeding hay due to mild weather. Box Elder County reports lack of snow cover for winter wheat before upcoming colder weather.
WASHINGTON: Washington experienced warmer than average temperatures across the State. Accumulated precipitation varied from below average in western Washington to slightly above average in eastern Washington. Skagit County has had a mild winter to date and winter crops looked good. Whatcom County was drier than normal. Klickitat and Yakima Counties were warmer than normal with not many nights below freezing. A small amount of snow was received towards the end of the month, followed by rain. Fall seeding was halted due to wet fields. Many cattle were moved to feedlots for the winter, with any on pasture being heavily supplemented. Vegetable and fruit producers used the mild winter to clean up and prepare fields, orchards, vineyards and hopyards for next season. Tree and vine pruning activities took place over the month. Okanogan County reported a lack of snow cover and warmer than normal temperatures. Pend Oreille and Spokane Counties have had a mild winter to date. Some cattle were observed grazing. Winter crops looked to be in fair condition. Mild weather was reported, with no unusual weather systems for Grant County. Adams and Lincoln Counties experienced warmer than normal temperatures with good precipitation for the month. Asotin and Garfield Counties received a lot of rain with some snow at high elevations.
WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of December 2023. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 34% short, 53% adequate, 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture 17% very short, 40% short, 43% adequate. Winter wheat condition 7% very poor, 7% poor, 53% fair, 32% good, 1 percent excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% very short, 12% short, 86% adequate, 1 percent surplus. Livestock condition 1% very poor, 1% poor, 2% fair, 85% good, 11% excellent. Stock water supplies 3% very short, 11% short, 86% adequate. Pasture and range condition 4% very poor, 8% poor, 33% fair, 51% good, 4% surplus. Wyoming received little relief from the ongoing drought conditions during the month of December, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Rainfall was scattered and total accumulations varied, ranging from a trace to as much as 4 inches during the month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Some areas received no measurable rainfall. Temperatures ran above normal for most of the State, ranging from no change to 8 degrees above average. There was little change in drought conditions during December according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on December 26, 2023. The amount of land rated drought free equaled 75 percent, compared with 88 percent on November 28, 2023. Abnormally dry conditions covered 22 percent of Wyoming, and moderate drought was found in 3 percent. Reports from Goshen County indicated the dry conditions have been favorable for cattle on feed. Platte County reporters noted little moisture received in the last month, with unseasonably warm weather for this time of year.
Farmers reported improvements in financial performance during December.
The latest report from the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer indicates that U.S. farmers' inflation expectations have subsided while overall producer sentiment changed little.
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Farmers reported another improvement in their farms' financial performance during the month of December. The Farm Financial Performance Index saw a 2-point increase compared to the previous month, marking a continued positive trend. Since late summer, the index has climbed 11 points, and at year-end, it was 21 points above the low point for 2023, which occurred in May.
"The shift in farmers' perception of financial performance during the fall quarter corresponds with USDA's (U.S. Department of Agriculture's) more optimistic 2023 farm income outlook released in late November, which was $10 billion higher than their previous forecast," said James Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture.
The Farm Capital Investment Index reading of 43 was only one point above November's, but it marked a 13-point increase compared to the same period last year. Respondents endorsing the notion that now is a favorable time for substantial investments in their farm operation cited "higher dealer inventories" and "strong cash flows" as key factors supporting this perspective. While the percentage of respondents selecting "strong cash flows" as a rationale for investment rebounded from the previous month, it remained less popular than in July and August. Conversely, in December, the percentage of producers citing "higher dealer inventories" as a primary motivation for investment was more than double the proportion who expressed a similar sentiment in July.
"High input costs continue to be concerning for U.S. farmers, although a notable shift in concerns took place as 2023 unfolded," Mintert said.
Farmers concerned about the risk of lower prices for crops and livestock increased from 16% of respondents in January to over one-fourth (26%) by December. Number three on the list of concerns for the upcoming year was "rising interest rates," chosen by 24% of farmers in December's survey.
Producers' inflation expectations moderated, with 70% expecting inflation in 2024 to be less than 4%. By comparison, 50% of the producers anticipated an inflation rate of 6% or higher a year ago. When asked about interest rates, about one-third (34%) of respondents said they anticipate rates declining in 2024 while 22% expect no change in interest rates in the upcoming year.
Perspectives on farmland values weakened slightly in December compared to November. The Short-Term Farmland Value Index fell 4 points to a reading of 121, while the long-term index decreased by 2 points to 149. Compared to a year ago, the short-term index was down 3 points, while the long-term index was 9 points higher.
"The improvement in farmers' interest rate expectations since late 2022 could help explain the year-to-year rise in farmers' long-term farmland value expectations," Mintert stated.
The pattern of hot and dry in the south with heavy rainfall to the north of the high-pressure system continued over this past week. The high...
