1. Alaska:
LARGE POSITIVE TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES DOMINATE
Weekly temperature departures ranged from +4°C to +15°C, with the largest departures (in excess of +6°C) covering the interior portions of southern and central Alaska. Although lows were below freezing, with readings below -20°C in central Alaska, the mercury climbed above the freezing mark at most locations [WARM - Up to 3 weeks].
2. Great Lakes Region:
STILL VERY DRY
Little or no precipitation fell on the Great Lakes region again last week. Since November 17, fewer than 160 mm of precipitation has accumulated, leading to 13-week shortfalls of 50 to 240 mm [DRY - Up to 18 weeks].
3. Southeastern Canada and Northeastern United States:
COLD ANOMALY RETURNS
Weekly temperature departures of -3°C to -13°C prevailed across southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The very cold air fueled the severe winter storm that battered the Northeast during the Presidents' Day weekend. Lows of -20°C or colder pushed as far south as central Pennsylvania, but the mercury managed to creep above freezing at coastal locations [COLD - 2 weeks].
4. Northeastern United States:
WINTER STORM HAMMERS EAST FROM WASHINGTON TO BOSTON
Although the bulk of the severe winter storm occurred on February 16-18, the delays caused by this storm allow it to be covered herein. Baltimore, MD reported the highest single-storm snowfall of 71.6 cm while at Washington, DC the storm total of 42.4 cm of snow was the fifth highest ever recorded. Similar snowfalls were reported as far north as Boston. The storm disrupted transportation, closed schools and businesses, and claimed several lives, according to press reports [Episodic Event].
5. Southeastern United States:
PRECIPITATION DEFICITS CONTINUE
Parts of southeastern Louisiana and central Florida received 25 to 50 mm of precipitation, with locally higher amounts approaching 100 mm, but the remainder of the Southeast received fewer than 25 mm. During the past 8 weeks, precipitation totals remained below 200 mm, allowing short-term moisture deficits to range from 50 to 220 mm [DRY - Up to 7 weeks].
6. Suriname, French Guiana, and Guyana:
STILL VERY DRY
Fewer than 25 mm of rain fell on the three countries during the past week. Although as much as 360 mm of rain accumulated during the past 8 weeks, precipitation shortfalls ranged from 120 to 540 mm [DRY - Up to 8 weeks].
7. South America:
EXTENSIVE WARM ANOMALY PERSISTS
Temperatures averaging 2°C to 4°C above normal dominated South America from central Argentina northward. Highs were generally in the thirties (°C) across the continent [WARM - Up to 6 weeks].
8. Southern Europe:
COLD ANOMALY EXPANDS
Temperatures were 2°C to 9°C below normal across much of southern Europe, with the greatest weekly departures reported in southeastern Europe. Subfreezing lows dominated the region, with readings plummeting below -20°C across southwestern European Russia [COLD - Up to 3 weeks].
9. Southern Africa:
WARM WEATHER EXACERBATES DRYNESS
Weekly departures of +2°C to +3°C dominated southern Africa, with highs ranging from 31°C to 43°C. The high temperatures aggravated very dry conditions across southeastern Africa [WARM - Up to 6 weeks].
10. Southeastern Africa:
RAINS BRING SOME RELIEF
Light to moderate rains (10 to 50 mm) fell on northeastern South Africa, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique during the past week. Between November 17, 2002 and February 15, 2003, the area received 100 to 500 mm of rain, allowing moisture shortages to range from 50 to 320 mm [DRY - Up to 16 weeks].
11. Australia:
HIGH TEMPERATURES PERSIST
Temperatures averaged 2°C to 4°C above normal, with highs ranging from 34°C to 42°C [WARM - Up to 5 weeks].
12. Southeastern Australia:
LIGHT TO MODERATE RAINS REPORTED
Between 10 and 50 mm of rain fell on eastern New South Wales, but the remainder of the region received little or none. During the last 13 weeks, precipitation totaled less than 250 mm along the coast and fewer than 100 mm across the interior, yielding moisture shortages of 50 to 160 mm [DRY - Up to 21 weeks].