1. Central United States:

MORE VERY DRY WEATHER

Persistently dry conditions, characterized by little or no precipitation, dominated the central states from eastern Kansas northeastward to Michigan. Generally less than 175 mm of precipitation has fallen on the region during the last 3 months, yielding moisture deficits of 50 to 200 mm. According to press reports, a lack of snow has adversely impacted recreational activities in Wisconsin and Minnesota [DRY - Up to 13 weeks].

2. Eastern Canada and Upper Great Lakes:

LARGE POSITIVE TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES PERSIST

Weekly temperature departures ranged from +6°C in Wisconsin and Minnesota to +12°C across northeastern Canada. Despite the above-normal temperatures, the mercury dropped below -20°C throughout the region, except for lows of -10°C to -19°C in Michigan, Wisconsin, and southwestern Ontario [WARM - Up to 15 weeks].

3. Northern and Central South America:

MORE WARM WEATHER

Weekly departures of +2°C to +5°C covered much of South America from Paraguay and southern Brazil northward through Columbia. Highs were generally in the thirties (°C), with a few locations approaching 42°C. The mercury stayed above 20°C throughout the week [WARM - Up to 9 weeks].

4. Europe and Western Asia:

WIDESPREAD COLD CONDITIONS DOMINATE

Temperatures averaged 6°C to 19°C below normal across much of central and eastern Europe while weekly departures of -2°C to -6°C covered most of western Europe. Lows ranged from -20°C to -45°C from Norway and Poland eastward through western Siberia while subfreezing lows prevailed to the west. The mercury remained below freezing across the interior and eastern portions of the region. According to press reports, bitterly cold weather claimed many lives [COLD - Up to 6 weeks]. Wintry conditions affected many major cities, such as London, Paris, and Rome. Meanwhile, a rare snowfall disrupted travel and business across much of southern France, according to press reports [Episodic Events].

5. Finland and Northwestern Russia:

STILL VERY DRY

Little or no precipitation fell on most of Finland and northern European Russia, except for 10 to 25 mm along the extreme southern fringes of the region. Generally less than 100 mm of precipitation has accumulated during the last 8 weeks, allowing short-term moisture deficits of 50 to 105 mm to prevail across the region [DRY - Up to 10 weeks].

6. Mediterranean Basin:

ABOVE-NORMAL TEMPERATURES COVER MUCH OF THE BASIN

Unseasonably warm weather, characterized by weekly departures of +2°C to +4°C in northern Africa, and departures exceeding +12°C in Turkey, dominated much of the Mediterranean. Weekly highs ranged from 15°C to 25°C while weekly lows were generally above freezing, except at the higher elevations [WARM - Up to 4 weeks].

7. Kenya and Tanzania:

HEAVY RAINS SHIFT SOUTHWARD

Little or no rain fell on Kenya, but weekly totals gradually increased to 100 mm in central Tanzania [WET - Ending at 7 weeks].

8. Northern Mozamibique:

REMNANTS OF CYCLONE DELFINA DRENCH REGION

The remains of Tropical Storm Delfina delivered 50 to 200 mm of rain to northern Mozambique, with isolated heavier amounts in northeastern Mozambique [Episodic Event].

9. Southeastern Africa:

RAINS BRING SOME RELIEF

Moderate to heavy rains (50 to 200 mm) soaked eastern Zimbabwe, central Mozambique, and extreme northeastern South Africa while light to moderate amounts (10 to 50 mm) fell elsewhere. Between November 17 and January 11, less than 300 mm of rain has fallen on the region, resulting in short-term moisture deficits of 50 to 225 mm [DRY - Up to 11 weeks].

10. Eastern Asia:

SUBNORMAL TEMPERATURES PERSIST

Temperatures were 2°C to 5°C below normal across central and eastern China and the Korean Peninsula. Lows ranged from -10°C to -25°C across Korea and northern China while readings were generally below 10°C across southern China. The mercury failed to reach the freezing mark across northern China while readings above 20°C were restricted to extreme southern China [COLD - Up to 4 weeks].

11. Southern China:

PRECIPITATION SURPLUSES REMAIN

Between 10 and 50 mm of precipitation fell on southern China from central Yunnan eastward to Fujian and Zhejiang. During the past 8 weeks, 100 to 300 mm of precipitation accumulated in most areas, allowing short-term moisture excesses to range from 50 to 225 mm [WET - Up to 9 weeks].

12. South-Central Asia:

UNUSUALLY COLD WEATHER PREVAILS

Weekly departures of -2°C to -6°C prevailed across western China and the northern half of India. The mercury plummeted below -20°C north of the Himalayas while readings of 1°C to 10°C dominated northern India. Most of western China remained below freezing, but highs exceeded 20°C in northern India. According to the media, the cold weather in Uttar Pradesh claimed many lives and forced schools to close [COLD - Up to 3 weeks].

13. Central and Eastern Australia:

DRY WEATHER OVERSPREADS AUSTRALIA

Little or no rain fell on much of central and eastern Australia, except for 10 to 25 mm along the eastern coast. Since the middle of October, most interior locations received fewer than 100 mm of rain, yielding shortfalls of 50 to 150 mm while coastal stations reported less than 250 mm, with moisture shortages reaching 300 mm [DRY - Up to 16 weeks].