1. Southwestern Canada and Northwestern United States:
MOISTURE SHORTAGES PERSIST
Between 25 and 50 mm of precipitation fell on orographically-favored areas,
but the remainder of the region received fewer than 25 mm. Since late December,
precipitation totaled 50 to 400 mm, depending on location and exposure,
yielding short-term moisture deficits of 50 to 260 mm [DRY - Up to 9 weeks].
2. Western United States:
COLD SNAP REPORTED
Temperatures averaged 6°C to 9°C below normal across the High Plains
and eastern Rockies during the past week, with locally larger negative
departures of -10°C to -11°C. Weekly departures of -2°C to
-6°C prevailed across the remainder of the region. Lows plummeted below
-20°C in mountain valleys as far south as northeastern Nevada and southwestern
Colorado while subfreezing lows dominated the United States all the way
to the Mexican border. The mercury failed to climb above freezing throughout
Montana, the Dakotas, and northern Wyoming [COLD - Up to 3 weeks].
3. Southeastern United States:
ABNORMAL DRYNESS SHIFTS SOUTHEASTWARD
Between 10 and 50 mm of precipitation brought limited relief to the Carolinas
and northern Georgia while little or no rain was reported along the Gulf
Coast and across Peninsular Florida. The unusually dry weather has exacerbated
wildfire conditions in Florida, according to the media. Precipitation totals
for the past 8 weeks ranged from 50 to 200 mm, allowing moisture shortages
of 50 to 150 mm to accumulate [DRY - Up to 9 weeks].
4. Central South America:
PRECIPITATION DEFICITS GROW
Highly variable rainfall amounts, ranging from 0 to 100 mm, fell on much
of Bolivia and west-central Brazil during the past week. During the last
8 weeks, the area received 100 to 450 mm of rain, resulting in precipitation
shortfalls of 100 to 500 mm [DRY - Up to 6 weeks].
5. Turkey:
RAINS EASE DRYNESS
Light to moderate precipitation (10 to 30 mm) fell across much of western
Turkey, bringing relief to the unusual dryness of the last several months.
Since December 24, moisture deficits of 50 to 250 mm have accumulated in
most of the area [DRY - Up to 8 weeks].
6. Western Africa:
COLD ANOMALY DEVELOPS
Cool conditions again prevailed over southern Niger and adjacent areas
as temperatures averaged 3°C to 6°C below normal, with the mercury
dropping to 7°C at Magaria, Niger (13°N) [COLD - 2 weeks].
7. Southern Africa:
SCATTERED RAINS BRING SOME RELIEF
Scattered rains (10 to 60 mm) eased dryness in parts of southern Africa.
Little or no rain, however, fell on the remainder of the region.
During the last 8 weeks, moisture deficits of 50 to 200 mm have accumulated
in most of the area [DRY - Up to 9 weeks].
8. East-Central Asia:
COLD ANOMALY SHIFTS SOUTHEASTWARD
Cold weather persisted across southeastern Siberia as temperatures averaged
3°C to 9°C below normal, and temperatures plunged to -45°C
at Poliny Osipenko, Russia (52°N). The bitter cold air pushed southward
over North Korea and northern and central Japan as departures of
-2°C to -6°C dominated the region [COLD - Up to 19 weeks].
9. Western Australia:
UNSEASONABLY COOL CONDITIONS PREVAIL
Temperatures were 2°C to 7°C below normal last week, with lows
dipping below 15°C at a few locations. Despite the cool weather, highs
were generally in the thirties (°C), and reached 40°C in central
Western Australia [COLD - 2 weeks].
10. South-Central Australia:
HEAT WAVE CONTINUES
Weekly departures of +2°C to +4°C dominated eastern South Australia
and adjacent parts of New South Wales and Victoria. Highs ranged from 38°C
to 43°C across the affected region [WARM - Up to 13 weeks].
11. South Pacific:
STILL NO TROPICAL CYCLONES
As of February 17, no tropical cyclones were spawned in the South Pacific;
however, a storm may develop during the next few days.