National Drought Summary March 13, 2001                        DRAFT

The Southeast: A potent storm system moved across the Southeast March 11-12, providing plenty of severe weather
and a round of heavy rains, especially from eastern Texas through southern Georgia.  One-day rainfall totals exceeded 3
inches in southeastern Alabama, southern Georgia, and the central Florida Panhandle on the 12th.  Weekly totals of 2-4
inches were common from northern and eastern Texas through most of Georgia and northwest Florida.  Meanwhile, most
of Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia received much less rain during the week and saw little
improvement in their drought conditions.  Across the Florida Peninsula, little rain fell during the week.

The Central Appalachians: The major winter storms affecting the northeastern United States brought less precipitation 
to areas in western Pennsylvania and southwestern New York that are experiencing D0 (abnormally dry) conditions. 
Precipitation totals for the week in this D0 area were less than one inch.

The Plains: A winter storm March 11-12 dropped more than one inch of precipitation from south-central Kansas through
southeastern Nebraska and western Iowa.  The remaining D1 (moderate drought) area in west-central Iowa was
downgraded to D0 (abnormally dry).  No changes occurred in western Nebraska, western Texas and southeastern New
Mexico, and the lower Rio Grande Valley.

The West: The Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies experienced another generally dry week March 6-13.  As a result
of low precipitation totals and snow water content in the snowpack, a large area of D2 (severe drought) was added in
eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and northwestern Montana.  Precipitation totals and the snow water content in this
area generally ranged between 40-55% of average for the middle of March.  The continued dryness also led to an increase
of the D0 (abnormally dry) classification in southern Wyoming and small parts of Utah and Colorado.

Hawaii and Puerto Rico:

Looking Ahead: 

Author: Michael Hayes