Dashboard Report

This Week's Drought Summary (5/21)

2026-05-21T07:24:30.145-07:00

During the week, the contiguous United States exhibited significant regional temperature anomalies driven by a highly amplified synoptic pattern. Early in the period, a pronounced unseasonable cold air mass influenced the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Northeast, depressing temperatures 5°F to 15°F below normal across the Dakotas, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania. Conversely, the Southwest and South Texas experienced anomalous warmth, with maximum temperatures exceeding 90°F and averaging up to 15°F above normal. By the latter half of the week, this warm air mass expanded eastward into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, initiating an early-season heatwave with observed maximum temperatures climbing into the mid-80s to low 90s.

Precipitation regimes during this period were characterized by severe convective outbreaks and pronounced moisture disparities. In the early portion of the week, persistent onshore moisture transport resulted in heavy rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches across the central Gulf Coast, specifically affecting Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Between May 17 and 18, a powerful frontal system traversing the central United States triggered widespread severe weather across the Great Plains and Midwest. This system produced damaging winds up to 80 mph, large hail, and multiple tornadoes across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, alongside localized flash flooding. In contrast, extreme moisture deficits persisted west of the Rocky Mountains, where weekly precipitation totals generally remained under 0.10 inches, further elevating wildfire risk across the southern High Plains.

Northeast

Temperatures varied across the region, ranging from the upper 40s and low 50s in northern Maine to the mid-to-upper 60s across the southern Mid-Atlantic. Looking at departures from normal, the majority of the Northeast experienced a warm week, with temperatures generally averaging 1°F to 4°F above normal. Pockets of more pronounced warmth emerged in eastern New York, western Vermont, and eastern Massachusetts, where departures climbed 4°F to 8°F above average. The main exception to this regional warmth was concentrated in the southwest, where a cooler air mass held temperatures in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania 2°F to 6°F below normal for the week. Precipitation totals across the Northeast were starkly divided during this week, characterized by a concentrated wet zone in northern New England and widespread deficits elsewhere. The heaviest rainfall occurred across northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Maine, where totals reached 2.0 to 3.5 inches, representing a significant positive departure of 1.0 to 2.5 inches above normal. Above-normal rainfall justified moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought and abnormal dryness (D0) improvements in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and eastern New York. Abnormal dryness (D0) was also improved in central Pennsylvania. In contrast, the rest of the region experienced exceptionally dry conditions. A vast swath covering much of West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and parts of southern New York, southern New England, and northern Maine received less than 0.5 inches of rain—with many areas dropping below 0.1 inches—resulting in widespread precipitation deficits of 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal. Extreme (D3) drought was introduced in southern and eastern West Virginia, while severe (D2) drought expanded in central parts of the state. Moderate (D1) drought was also expanded in southern portions of New England, south-central Pennsylvania this week.

Southeast

Much of the Southeast experienced widespread moisture deficits, with a vast majority of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia receiving less than 0.25 inches of total rainfall. This extended dry spell resulted in widespread negative departures ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 inches below seasonal averages across the interior heart of the region. Exceptional (D4) drought was introduced in western North Carolina, while extreme (D3) drought expanded across parts of Virginia, eastern North Carolina, and central South Carolina. Severe (D2) drought was also expanded in northeast parts of North Carolina. Significant precipitation was strictly confined to the southern peripheries of the Southeast. Localized convective activity delivered 2.0 to 3.5 inches of rain along the eastern Georgia-Florida border and across southern Florida, resulting in improvements to these areas. Exceptional (D4) drought was improved in portions of southern Georgia and within the Florida Panhandle, while improvement to extreme (D3) drought occurred in central and southern Georgia, southern Alabama, and in northern and eastern parts of Florida. Weekly mean temperatures exhibited a typical latitudinal gradient, spanning from the upper 50s and low 60s across southern Appalachian Mountains to the upper 70s and low 80s across the Florida Peninsula. In terms of departures from normal, a broad swath of the interior Southeast—encompassing Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas—experienced a distinctly cool week, with mean temperatures averaging 2°F to 4°F below normal. Conversely, the Florida Peninsula and the coastal plain of Virginia observed unseasonable warmth, with departures averaging 2°F to 4°F above normal.

South

Below-normal precipitation dominated the South this week. The vast majority of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee received less than 0.10 to 0.50 inches of total rainfall, leaving nearly the entire geographic footprint under exceptionally dry conditions. This lack of rainfall translated into widespread departures ranging from 0.75 to 1.50 inches below normal. Below-normal rainfall totals resulted in the introduction of exceptional (D4) drought in the Oklahoma Panhandle and D4 expansion in parts of Arkansas and Mississippi. Extreme (D3) to severe (D2) drought were expanded in parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The major exception to this dry regime was concentrated in southern portions of the region, specifically southern Texas, where localized convective storms delivered 1.0 to 3.0 inches of rainfall, resulting in the improvement of extreme (D3) drought in southern portions of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Temperatures were above normal across much of the region, ranging from the upper 50s and low 60s in Tennessee to the upper 80s in parts of Texas. Looking at departures from normal, a highly anomalous zone of intense warmth gripped the western half of the region, where temperatures averaged 6°F to 15°F above historical norms. Conversely, the eastern tier of the region bucked the western warming trend entirely; Mississippi and Tennessee experienced unseasonably cool conditions, with temperatures suppressing to 3°F to 6°F below normal.

Midwest

Precipitation patterns across the Midwest were defined by an intense, localized corridor of heavy rainfall contrasting with widespread dryness elsewhere. The most significant hydrological activity occurred across southern Iowa, northern and central Missouri, and west-central Illinois, where a series of storm complexes dropped widespread totals of 2.5 to 5.5 inches, with a localized amounts exceeding 6.25 inches in south-central Iowa and north-central Missouri. This wet weather pattern resulted in substantial positive departures of 1.5 to over 4.5 inches above normal.

Conversely, the northern and eastern fringes of the region experienced a remarkably dry week. Northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, eastern Indiana, and much of Ohio received less than 0.50 inches of rain—with much of Kentucky dropping below 0.10 inches—yielding widespread precipitation deficits of 0.75 to 1.5 inches below normal.

Anomalous warmth dominated the Midwest this week, with average temperatures ranging from the upper 40s along the Canadian border to the 70s in southwestern Missouri. Looking at departures from normal, unseasonable warmth dominated the western and central Midwest. A broad area encompassing Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and western Illinois reported temperatures 2°F to 6°F above historical norms, with the core of the warmth centering over western Iowa and northwest Missouri at 6°F to 10°F above average. In contrast, the southeastern portion of the region bucked this warming trend entirely; eastern Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Kentucky sat beneath a cooler air mass that suppressed weekly mean temperatures to 2°F to 4°F below normal.

High Plains

Temperatures were above normal across much of the region this week, with average readings ranging from the low 40s along the Canadian border and in the mountains to the mid-70s across southern Kansas. Highly anomalous early-season warmth gripped the southern half of the region. The core of this heat anomaly was centered over Kansas and Colorado, where weekly temperatures soared 6°F to 12°F above historical averages, with localized spots in southern Kansas peaking more than 12°F above normal. This unseasonable warmth extended moderately northward into Nebraska, yielding departures of 3°F to 6°F above average. Conversely, the northern High Plains remained under a more seasonal air mass; North Dakota, South Dakota, and northern Wyoming experienced below-normal conditions, fluctuating within 3°F to 6°F of historical baseline temperatures. Precipitation amounts varied across the region, with extreme dryness across the much of the region and a highly concentrated deluge along the southeastern boundary. Large portions of Wyoming, Colorado, and western parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, reported weekly totals below 0.50 inches, with extensive areas receiving less than 0.10 inches. This lack of moisture resulted in departures of 0.5 to 1.5 inches below average, causing conditions to deteriorate. Extreme (D3) drought expanded in southwestern Kansas and southern Colorado. Severe (D2) in parts of Colorado and northeast Wyoming, while moderate (D1) drought expanded in parts of South Dakota. In powerful contrast, intense convective activity generated a sharp corridor of heavy rainfall across eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska. Totals in this localized zone rapidly climbed between 2.5 and 5.5 inches, with departures ranging between 1.5 to over 4.5 inches above normal, resulting in improvements to moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought in Nebraska and moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought in Kansas. Heavy rainfall also brought improvements to severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought in northern Colorado and a reduction of exceptional (D4) drought in southern Wyoming this week.

West

Temperatures varied across the region this week, with average readings ranging from the mid-30s and 40s across the northern tier and high elevations to the low 80s in the desert Southwest. In terms of departures from normal, unseasonably cold conditions dominated the northern half of the region, with departures ranging between 3°F and 9°F below normal. In sharp contrast, the southern tier experienced unseasonable warmth. A building ridge over the Southwest drove temperatures in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico 3°F to 9°F above normal, with eastern New Mexico seeing the greatest extremes. Precipitation across the Western region was characterized by an extreme contrast between a highly active storm track in the Pacific Northwest and aridity across the remainder of the region. Above-normal precipitation was confined to much of Washington, and parts of Oregon and Montana, where weekly rainfall totals ranged between 1.5 to 3.5 inches, with localized totals in the Cascade Range exceeding 4.5 inches. This activity generated substantial departures of 0.75 to over 3.0 inches above normal, justifying moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought and abnormal dryness (D0) improvements in Washington and northern Idaho, and improvements to abnormal dryness (D0) to northwestern Oregon and western Montana. Conversely, dry conditions persisted across nearly the entire remaining geographic footprint. Widespread areas across California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Idaho, Montana, Utah recorded negligible rainfall totals of less than 0.10 inches. Due to the climatological onset of the dry season in parts of the West, this lack of rainfall translated into modest negative departures ranging from near-normal to 0.75 inches below seasonal averages. Nonetheless, deteriorating conditions led to the expansion of exceptional (D4) drought in southern Idaho, and extreme (D3) drought in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, and southern Idaho. In addition, severe (D2) drought was expanded in Oregon, Montana, and Arizona, while moderate (D1) drought expanded in parts of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Arizona.

Caribbean

Warm conditions and limited precipitation across the Caribbean have led to a slight expansion of abnormally dry (D0) conditions in Puerto Rico, excluding the interior and western regions where adequate rainfall was observed. In portions of the southwest, north-central, and the island of Culebra, 30-day precipitation totals have fallen below 15% to 40% of normal, while objective data indicates deteriorating root saturation and increasing crop stress. Hydrological deficits are also evident in the south-southeast, where USGS-monitored wells continue to decline. Field assessments in the southwest further corroborate these shortages, noting low river flows and early yellowing of vegetation, while the northeast remains excluded from dryness designations due to the high baseline moisture of the rainforest and a lack of clear societal impacts.

This week, the U.S. Virgin Islands continued to experience abnormally dry conditions due to drier-than-normal weather over the past few weeks. Although there were some localized heavy rainfall events recently, there were no significant weather events during this period to alleviate groundwater stress. The territory remained relatively stable, consistent with typical seasonal conditions for May.

This week, St. Croix experienced significant variability in precipitation, with rainfall totals ranging from 0.42 inches at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport to 1.79 inches at the Frederiksted 1.9NE CoCoRaHS station. This disparity highlights the localized nature of convective activity on the island, with western areas receiving substantial rainfall while eastern sections, such as Christiansted, recorded more moderate amounts. The rainfall measurements at various stations in St. Croix include 0.52 inches at VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E), 0.78 inches at VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), 0.6 inches at VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W), 0.44 inches at VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW), and 1.28 inches at VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE). Despite these localized downpours, the island’s hydrological profile remains strained, as observed by the Adventure 28 Well, where the depth of water levels has continued to increase, reaching a depth of 21.29 feet by May 19, 2026, a significant increase compared to the 14.15 feet recorded on the same date last year. Consequently, St. Croix remains in abnormally dry conditions. Despite these recent localized downpours, the island's water supply remains under stress. This is evident at Adventure 28 Well, where the depth of the water level has continued to increase, reaching 21.29 feet by May 19, 2026. This marks a significant increase compared to the 14.15 feet recorded on the same date last year. As a result, St. Croix continues to experience abnormally dry conditions.

St. Thomas experienced the driest conditions among the three islands this week due to a persistent mid-level atmospheric inversion cap that suppressed shower activity. Official records from Cyril E. King Airport reported only 0.08 inches of rainfall, while voluntary reports from the Charlotte Amalie West CoCoRaHS station (VI-ST-15) confirmed similarly minimal precipitation at 0.09 inches. This lack of rain has worsened the island's hydrological deficit. The Grade School 3 well has shown a steady increase in water level depth since April 20, 2026, reaching 8.65 feet by May 19, 2026, compared to just 2.25 feet on the same date in 2025. As a result, St. Thomas remains in abnormally dry conditions.

St. John benefited from the most consistent, topographically forced rainfall across the territory, with the high-elevation Windswept Beach station (VI-SJ-3) capturing 0.75 inches and Cruz Bay 1.6 E (VI-SJ-5) recording 0.38 inches. The SPI values for Windswept Beach on May 14, 2026, are: -0.69 (1 month), 0.46 (3 months), 0.25 (6 months), 0.14 (9 months), and 0.15 (12 months). While these showers provided relief to surface soils and vegetation through orographic lifting, they were insufficient to facilitate meaningful groundwater recharge. The Susannaberg DPW 3 well measured a depth to water level of 14.14 feet on May 19, 2026, marking a continued decline compared to both the previous week and the previous year, when levels were significantly shallower at 8.39 feet (on May 19, 2025). As a result, the island remains in the Abnormally Dry (D0) drought category.

Pacific

Temperatures were broadly below normal across Alaska this week, particularly across the southern half of the state and extending northward into the Interior. This cooler pattern was accompanied by above-normal precipitation across southern Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula, and the Panhandle, resulting in the reduction of abnormal dryness (D0) in south-central Alaska.

Hawaii observed high humidity and above-normal temperatures this week, with coastal maximums sustained in the lower to mid-80s. An unseasonably cool upper-level low-pressure system funneled deep tropical moisture across the archipelago, sparking slow-moving thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and localized flash flooding that brought up to 10 inches of rainfall to Kauai and Oahu this week. On the Big Island, localized storms brought heavy rainfall across parts of the eastern and southern coasts, resulting in the improvement of abnormal dryness (D0) in these areas.

The Marshall Islands experienced a week of heavy rainfall that affected nearly the entire archipelago, from the southern atolls to the northern chain. This week, Wotje in the north recorded the highest rainfall in the territory, accumulating an impressive 7.95 inches, while Majuro received 6.40 inches. Other islands also reported significant rainfall: Kwajalein received 4.19 inches, Mili recorded 3.05 inches, and Utirik had 2.88 inches. Ailinglapalap reported 2.50 inches of rain, while Jaluit received 1.30 inches. As a result, the Marshall Islands are currently free from drought conditions.

This week, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) experienced dynamic precipitation conditions due to a northward shift in the Near-Equatorial Trough and trade-wind troughs. As a result, widespread moisture affected the eastern states and parts of the western archipelago, while only a few central atolls remained dry. Pohnpei recorded the highest rainfall, totaling 6.79 inches (with one day of data missing). Chuuk Lagoon experienced 2.76 inches of rain (with two days missing), and Kosrae observed 2.18 inches (with two days missing). In the typically dry western islands, Woleai received 3.84 inches, and Yap recorded 2.58 inches, ensuring that these islands remained free from drought. Nearby atolls Nukuoro and Lukunor measured 0.45 inches and 0.16 inches of rain, respectively. Kapingamarangi reported 1.01 inches (with one day missing). Due to the wet conditions over the past weeks, the islands of Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro, and Lukunor are also drought-free this week. However, Ulithi recorded only 0.87 inches (with two days missing), maintaining its abnormally dry conditions.

The primary airport station in Pago Pago does not have data for the period of May 13–19, 2026. However, remote high-elevation sensors across Tutuila indicate that the territory experienced an exceptionally intense tropical rainstorm during this time. Siufaga Ridge recorded an extraordinary 7.72 inches of rain for the week, while Toa Ridge reported 4.73 inches. Most of this heavy rainfall occurred on a single day, May 16, when Siufaga Ridge received 3.60 inches, and Toa Ridge recorded 2.02 inches in just 24 hours. As a result, American Samoa remains free from drought conditions.

Palau had a very favorable week, with consistent, productive rainfall that helped alleviate existing moisture deficits. During this week, Koror recorded a total of 3.62 inches of rain, while the WSO Palau Airai measured 2.57 inches. As a result, the islands transitioned from abnormally dry conditions to being drought-free.

The Mariana Islands experienced highly localized and variable weather conditions during this week. The southern tip of the archipelago received moderate rainfall, while the northern islands recorded only small amounts. This week, Guam recorded the highest rainfall at 2.61 inches, while neighboring Rota received 1.26 inches. In contrast, farther north, Saipan reported a minimal 0.08 inches. Although there was no direct data for Tinian, regional meteorological experts indicated that it shares similar atmospheric conditions with Saipan due to its close geographic proximity, meaning it likely experienced the same low rainfall. However, due to the wet conditions in previous weeks, both Saipan and Tinian remain free from drought this week.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five days (May 19–23, 2026), the United States can expect a highly dynamic weather pattern characterized by contrasting temperature extremes and widespread storm activity. An early-season heatwave will make headlines across much of the eastern U.S. through midweek, with interior portions of the Mid-Atlantic and the Carolinas seeing highs climb into the lower to middle 90s—warm enough to potentially establish new daily records before a cold front brings cooler relief by Thursday. In stark contrast, the Intermountain West and Rockies will experience below-normal temperatures to start the week, alongside late-season accumulating snow in the higher elevations of Colorado and Wyoming. Meanwhile, a strong cold front tracking across the Plains and Midwest will spark widespread showers and severe thunderstorms. Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall will bring a risk of scattered flash flooding, focusing heavily on Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Tuesday before an expanded risk of heavy precipitation stretches from western Texas to the central Appalachians on Wednesday.

Further out, the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day outlook (valid May 24–28, 2026) favors above-normal temperatures across most of the United States—stretching from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the East Coast, with the highest confidence for this unseasonable warmth concentrated in the Upper Midwest. Hawaii is also leaning toward warmer conditions. In contrast, temperatures are expected to be colder than average across the state of Alaska, and in a pocket of northwestern Washington state. Meanwhile, near-normal temperatures are forecast in parts of the South and along the West Coast. Probabilities for wetter-than-average conditions favor the vast majority of the country, including Hawaii and portions of Alaska. In the contiguous U.S., this wet weather pattern extends from the Southwest to the East Coast, with the greatest probability of above-normal precipitation expected to be in the south-central U.S., specifically across southern Texas. The West Coast, portions of the Pacific Northwest, the northern Rockies, northern parts of the Midwest, and northern Alaska are favored to receive near-normal precipitation during this time. No areas are favored to be drier than normal.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (5/19)

2026-05-19T06:52:32.659-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 76% Planted, Soybeans 67% Planted, Winter Wheat Rated 27% Good to Excellent as of May 17

2026-05-18T14:02:58.251-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- U.S. corn planting continues to run ahead of its five-year average while holding steady with last year's pace, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Multiple storm systems are expected to bring widespread rainfall, severe weather, flooding concerns and colder temperatures to much of the country this week, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

CORN

-- Planting progress: 76% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, steady with last year's pace and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 70%. Tennessee was the furthest ahead at 96% complete as of Sunday. That was followed by North Carolina at 94% complete. Illinois and Indiana are both 75% and 67% planted, respectively.

-- Crop development: 39% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 8 points behind last year's 39% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 37%.

SOYBEANS

-- Planting progress: An estimated 67% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year at this time and 14 points ahead of the five-year average of 53%. Illinois' soybeans are 74% planted, 9 points ahead of last year and 11 points ahead of the five-year average of 63%. Indiana was also ahead of average at 67% planted, 11 points ahead of last year's pace and 17 points ahead of the five-year average.

-- Crop development: 32% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, equal to last year's pace and 9 points ahead of the five-year average of 23%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Crop condition: An estimated 43% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of May 17, up 25 percentage points from 18% a year ago, according to NASS.

-- Crop development: 71% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 9 percentage points ahead of last year's 62% and 13 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 58%. Top winter-wheat-producer Kansas' crop was 93% headed, 11 points ahead of last year at this time and 21 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Planting progress: 73% of the crop was planted nationwide as of May 17, 7 percentage points behind last year's pace of 80% and 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 66%. Planting in South Dakota and Washington is 96% complete in both states.

-- Crop development: 39% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, 3 percentage points behind last year's pace of 42% and 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 34%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Much of the country is expected to see an active weather pattern this week, with multiple storm systems bringing heavy rain, severe weather, flooding concerns and colder air, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"This is going to be a big week of weather across much of the country," Baranick said. "We had some major storms and heavy rain bog things down across the western Corn Belt over the weekend, and some scattered showers causing some issues in the eastern Corn Belt as well, but we've got one more big storm that will push through the Central Plains into the Midwest on Monday and Tuesday. Widespread areas of heavy rain and severe weather are expected with this system. We could see more flooding problems as well, especially where heavy rain overlaps from the weekend.

"But the front to the system will be more important. That will slowly drag southward through the country this week, stalling out from Texas somewhere into the Southeast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue there through at least this weekend if not well into next week as some models suggest. That is good news for these drought areas across the south, getting some good rain to fall and increase soil moisture and reduce that long-standing drought. And that won't be the only thing going on, either.

"Another system will move across the country Wednesday through Saturday. It will produce more scattered areas of showers and thunderstorms, but may also cover some of those dry areas in the Plains, perhaps some of them that might miss out on the earlier week's precipitation. This should help to improve or maintain soil moisture across a lot of the country over the next seven days.

"But it's not all good news. Cold air filling in behind these systems will spread through more of the Plains and Midwest this week. We have already seen frosts in Montana and North Dakota on Monday and that will spread south down to maybe western Kansas and Colorado in the Plains for the next couple of days, and into Minnesota on Wednesday as a high-pressure center settles overhead in the morning. There could be some damage out there to wheat and also emerging corn and especially soybeans. Temperatures will rise for the second half of the week going into the holiday weekend. Outside of the far south where storms will continue along that stalled front, we should have an overall good holiday weekend."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn planted	76	57	76	70
Corn emerged	39	23	47	37
Soybeans planted	67	49	63	53
Soybeans emerged	32	20	32	23
Winter wheat headed	71	61	62	58
Spring wheat planted	73	53	80	66
Spring wheat emerged	39	23	42	34
Cotton planted	41	29	38	40
Sorghum planted	30	25	32	30
Oats planted	87	76	90	82
Oats emerged	62	50	69	63
Barley planted	81	65	73	71
Barley emerged	49	33	43	39
Rice planted	88	84	86	87
Rice emerged	74	69	72	67
Sugarbeets planted	98	79	99	84
Sunflowers planted	6	NA	12	6
Peanuts planted	41	25	49	48

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wheat
This Week	18	25	30	22	5
Prev Week	16	24	32	23	5
DTN 5-Yr Avg	14	18	31	32	6

Rice
This Week	0	2	24	59	15
Prev Week	0	3	24	64	9
DTN 5-Yr Avg	0	2	22	60	16

Oats
This Week	8	15	31	42	4
Prev Week	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	9	12	27	44	7

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (5/18)

2026-05-18T07:33:04.372-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 66 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	1391887 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (5/14)

2026-05-14T07:13:45.657-07:00

This week was defined by a significant precipitation divide, highlighted by a major deluge across parts of the South and Gulf Coast. Persistent storm systems funneled heavy moisture into Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, where total rainfall reached 4 to 6 inches—and in some coastal pockets even higher—representing departures of 3 to 5 inches above seasonal norms. While an active frontal corridor brought a secondary band of moderate rain (1 to 3 inches) from Texas through the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast, the Western U.S. remained exceptionally dry, with most areas west of the Rockies receiving less than 0.1 inch of rain. This lack of moisture, paired with blustery winds, triggered extreme fire danger across the Upper Mississippi Valley, though the period concluded with a pattern shift as a significant Pacific low-pressure system finally moved onshore to deliver moisture to the Northwest.

Temperature patterns showed an equally sharp geographical split, with unseasonable warmth gripping the West and parts of the South while a late-spring chill lingered over the North. In the Southwest and South Texas, summer-like heat took a firm hold as Rio Grande Village, Texas, hit a national high of 105°F and Death Valley consistently reached the triple digits; overall, the Western U.S. averaged 5 to 15°F above normal. Conversely, a significant cool-down settled over the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where the Dakotas and Minnesota experienced temperatures 5 to 15°F below seasonal averages. This thermal contrast was further sharpened by winter-like conditions in high-elevation regions of the West, where stations in Utah recorded lows as cold as 10°F, even as record-challenging warmth began to expand across the Pacific Northwest and the Southern Border states.

Northeast

The Northeast region experienced a pronounced late-spring chill coupled with a sharp geographical divide in precipitation. Average temperatures ranged from 39°F–48°F in northern portions of the region to 60°F–66°F in parts of Maryland and Delaware. Temperatures were below normal across nearly the entire region, with the most significant cold anomalies concentrated in New York and Pennsylvania; in these areas, departures reached 6°F to over 10°F below average. Precipitation patterns were equally divergent, featuring a surplus in the north and west but deficits in the south. Heavy moisture was concentrated in Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and much of Maine, where precipitation amounts ranged from 0.45 to 1.8 inches above normal. Moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought, along with abnormal dryness (D0) were improved in Maine. Conversely, rainfall totals were below-normal across southern portions of the region, with precipitation deficits generally falling between 0.45 and 1.35 inches below normal. Severe (D2) drought was expanded in northern Massachusetts, Delaware, and southern portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia, while moderate (D1) drought was expanded in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and southern Pennsylvania this week.

Southeast

Much of the Southeast experienced below-normal temperatures this week, where temperatures were 5°F to 10°F below normal. Florida, Georgia, and parts of Alabama and South Carolina were the exception, where averages were in the 80s—up to 10 degrees above normal. Exceptional precipitation totals (1.5 to 3.0 inches) were recorded across much of Alabama, and portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Localized accumulations in these areas reached 4 to over 7 inches, representing significant departures of 3 to 6 inches above normal. Weekly rainfall totals of 1.5 to 3.0 inches extended from southern Appalachian region to south-central North Carolina. Exceptional (D4) drought was removed from south-central North Carolina and northeast Georgia, and improved in the Florida Panhandle. Extreme (D3) drought improved across parts of northern Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Rainfall totals were below normal from northern portions of North Carolina, Virginia, and much of the Florida Peninsula, observing deficits of 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Extreme (D3) drought was expanded in central and southern portions of Virginia and slightly into a northern pocket of North Carolina, while moderate (D1) drought to extreme (D3) drought were expanded in southeast Florida.

South

The Southern region experienced a stark contrast in both precipitation and temperature during the week, defined by torrential Gulf Coast rains and a significant late-spring chill across the interior. Precipitation was most intense across the central Gulf Coast, particularly in Louisiana and southern Mississippi, where weekly totals reached 7 to over 9 inches. These amounts represent exceptional departures of 6 to 7.5 inches above normal. Moderate (D1) to Exceptional (D4) drought was reduced in southern and eastern portions of Texas, and in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Tennessee. Abnormal dryness (D0) was improved in parts of Texas and southern Louisiana. Conversely, drier conditions prevailed in West Texas, Oklahoma, and much of the Tennessee Valley, where precipitation was generally 1.5 to 3 inches below average. Exceptional (D4) was introduced in southwest Oklahoma and from the Texas Panhandle into northwest Oklahoma, and expanded in parts of Arkansas and northern Mississippi. Extreme (D3) expanded in northern portions of Texas and western Oklahoma. Heat persisted in southern Texas, where average temperatures reached the 80s and 90s, representing departures of up to 5°F above normal. However, a powerful cold anomaly gripped the northern, eastern, and central portions of the region. In these areas, temperatures were broadly 5 to 10°F below normal for the week.

Midwest

The Midwest region experienced a widespread late-spring chill and a stark contrast in moisture levels between the north and south. Temperatures were broadly below average across the entire region, with the vast majority of the Midwest observing departures of 5 to 10°F below normal. Average temperatures ranged from a cool 30–40°F along the northern border of Minnesota and Wisconsin to the more seasonable 60–70°F in the southern reaches of Missouri and Kentucky. Precipitation was notably sparse across the northern half of the region, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan, where totals remained under 0.1 inches, resulting in departures of 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal. In contrast, the southern tier—particularly across parts of Kentucky, southern Missouri, and the Ohio Valley—saw more active weather with precipitation totals ranging from 1.5 to over 3 inches, leading to surpluses of 0.5 to 1.5 inches and resulting in the reduction of severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought in western parts of Kentucky. However, moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought was expanded in portions of central and eastern Kentucky, where rainfall amounts were below normal. Abnormal dryness (D0) was also expanded in parts of Minnesota, western Iowa, southern Missouri, and in pockets of Indiana and Ohio.

High Plains

Anomalous warmth dominated most of the High Plains this week, while precipitation was defined by a significant east-west gradient. The eastern portions of the region, remained under a persistent late-spring chill with average temperatures falling 4°F to 10°F below seasonal norms. This area was also exceptionally dry, receiving less than 0.05 inches of rain, which resulted in precipitation deficits of 0.6 to 1.2 inches. Persistent dryness resulted in the expansion of exceptional (D4) drought in Nebraska, while and moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought were expanded in northeastern Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. In contrast, the western High Plains across Wyoming, much of Colorado, and western portions of South Dakota and Nebraska, experienced unseasonable warmth, with departures ranging from 2°F to 6°F above normal. This warmth was accompanied by an active moisture corridor through the southern High Plains; while northern and eastern reaches were dry, portions of Colorado and adjacent areas of Wyoming and Kansas recorded 0.7 to 1.6 inches of precipitation, ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 inches above normal. This above-normal precipitation resulted in the removal of exceptional (D4) and reduction of extreme (D3) drought in Wyoming, and improvements to severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought in Colorado and severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought in western Kansas.

West

The West was characterized by unseasonable warmth and widespread dryness across the Pacific Coast and Great Basin, contrasted by cooler, more active conditions in the Rocky Mountains this week. The eastern portion of the region—specifically eastern portions of Montana, Utah, and New Mexico—remained notably cooler, with departures ranging 3°F to 6°F below normal. However, most of the region, particularly in parts of Oregon, California, and Nevada, experienced significant temperature departures of 6°F to over 12°F above normal, with actual average readings in the Desert Southwest reaching the 80s and 90s. This heat was paired with minimal moisture, as coastal and interior basin states recorded less than 0.1 inches of rain, resulting in precipitation deficits of 0.6 to 1.5 inches below seasonal averages. Exceptional (D4) drought was expanded in southern Idaho, while extreme (D3) drought was introduced in Oregon and expanded in Montana, Idaho, and Nevada this week. Severe (D2) and moderate (D1) drought were expanded in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Severe (D2) drought was also introduced in northern Washington and expanded in northern Nevada. Conditions deteriorated over parts of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon resulting in the expansion of abnormal dryness (D0) in these areas. Conversely, localized moisture resulted in the moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought and abnormal dryness (D0) improvements in southern Arizona, while improvements to moderate (D1) drought occurred in parts of western Nevada.

Caribbean

Conditions were dry over Puerto Rico this week. Below-normal rainfall amounts, along with stressed vegetation, low soil moisture, and depleting groundwater and lake levels, resulted in the introduction of abnormal dryness in southern parts of the island.

The rainfall situation for the U.S. Virgin Islands from May 6 to May 12, 2026, was characterized by a dry, stable weather pattern, with total rainfall significantly below seasonal averages. Although isolated showers did occur, they were mainly a result of shallow moisture moving rapidly within the trade winds.

This week, St. Croix experienced light rainfall, with totals reported in descending order. VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE) received the highest amount at 0.78 inches, followed by VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW) with 0.34 inches and VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE) measuring 0.19 inches. VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E) recorded 0.16 inches, while VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W) received 0.08 inches. Finally, VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9 NE) reported the lowest amount of 0.07 inches. These measurements reflect the light rains experienced across the island. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) value for East Hill over the past month was -0.85, indicating short-term abnormally dry conditions. Similarly, the SPI values for Christiansted Hamilton at 1, 3, and 6 months were -0.72, -0.82, and -2.67, respectively, indicating drought conditions in the western parts of St. Croix. As of May 12, 2026, the water level at Adventure 28 Well in St. Croix, USVI, was 21.01 feet, which is an increase from the previous week. This level is also higher than the level on the same date last year (May 14, 2025), when it was 14.85 feet, further indicating that St. Croix is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas recorded 0.06 inches of rainfall this week. As of May 7, 2026, the one-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at the airport was -0.95, indicating drier-than-normal conditions. Additionally, the rainfall total for VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West, 1.3 N) was 0.15 inches. The depth to the water level below the land surface at the Grade School 3 well in St. Thomas has continued to increase since April 20, 2026. On May 12, 2026, the depth was measured at 8.32 feet, which contributes to the island being in an abnormally dry condition.

Similarly, St. John experienced low rainfall this week, with only 0.29 inches recorded at VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach) and just 0.23 inches at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E). Additionally, the water level at the Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) was measured at 13.84 feet below the land surface on May 12. This represents a significant increase from last year, when the water level was 8.92 feet below land surface on the same date in 2025. These indicate that St. John is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Pacific

Temperatures were broadly below normal across Alaska this week, while parts of the east-central interior and Panhandle observed above-normal temperatures. Precipitation varied across the state this week, with below-normal precipitation falling over northern and western parts of the state. Precipitation was above normal over central and south-central Alaska, resulting in the reduction of abnormal dryness (D0) in these areas.

No changes were made in Hawaii this week.

Rainfall across the Marshall Islands was moderate to heavy this week. Southern atolls like Majuro benefited from proximity to the near-equatorial trough, reporting 2.9 inches this week. Northern atolls remained seasonally dry, but Jaluit, Utirik, and Wotje reported 1.06, 0.61, and 0.34 inches, respectively, to remain drought-free. Kwajalein and Ailinglapalap reported heavy rainfall: 5.71 and 4.7 inches this week, respectively. The current synoptic environment features east-northeast trade winds and weak low-level convergence, resulting in localized heavy showers in the south; for example, Milli recorded 3.12 inches of rain.

This week, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) experienced some of the highest precipitation totals in the region, driven by an active monsoon-like flow and a series of tropical disturbances moving westward. The central and eastern states—Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae—reported significant rainfall. Specifically, Chuuk received 2.95 inches, Kosrae recorded 7.29 inches, and Pohnpei had 5.57 inches of rain (with 2 days of data missing). Yap improved from abnormally dry conditions to drought-free status, receiving 5.42 inches of rainfall. Woleai reported 5.96 inches. Kapingamarangi, on the other hand, reported 0.31 (with 2 days of data missing); however, it remains drought-free due to earlier wet conditions, having recorded 2.46 inches in one day last week (on May 1, 2026). In contrast, Ulithi received only 1.95 this week, remaining abnormally dry. Lukunor and Nukuoro reported 0.59 and 0.62, respectively, with two days missing. However, both islands remain drought-free due to the recent wet conditions.

The surface trough remained nearly stationary near the American Samoa islands until May 8, before drifting south. This trough provided most of the week's moisture before drier trade-wind air returned over the weekend. Pago Pago reported 0.79 inches of rain, although two days of data are missing. Meanwhile, Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge recorded 2.31 and 0.61 inches of rain this week, respectively, keeping the islands drought-free.

This week, the Koror area experienced significant rainfall, totaling 4.55 inches. The week began with mostly dry conditions as Palau transitioned into ENSO-neutral conditions, continuing through May 11. However, on May 12, a heavy, localized rainfall event occurred, with 2.76 inches falling in Koror. This event was influenced by a southward pulse of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and shifting tropical moisture. Additionally, WSO Palau Airai reported 2.4 inches of rain for the week. In April, Koror received only 2.53 inches of rainfall, far below the normal 9.1 inches, marking the lowest total in 75 years of recorded data. Although there has been a surge in heavy rain by the end of this week, the overall atmospheric conditions are still influenced by the suppression of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) over the Western Pacific. This suppression is leading to an abnormally dry pattern as the islands get ready for a possible El Niño shift in the coming months.

This week, the Mariana Islands have seen rainfall primarily influenced by moderate easterly trade winds and weak surface troughs, marking the early effects of a developing El Niño. Rota recorded 1.3 inches of rain this week, to remain drought-free. Meanwhile, Guam and Saipan reported 0.82 inches and 0.55 inches, respectively, keeping both islands free from drought this week.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five days (May 12–16, 2026), weather patterns across the United States will feature a stark contrast between record-challenging heat in the West and unsettled, cooler conditions in the East. A building atmospheric ridge will maintain well-above-normal temperatures across the western U.S., with several high-temperature records likely to be tied or broken as this warmth spreads into the central Plains by mid-week. Conversely, the eastern half of the country can expect near to below-normal temperatures as a series of frontal systems bring frequent rounds of showers and thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, an incoming Pacific low-pressure system is forecast to deliver light to moderate precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, while gusty winds may accompany the passage of these weather systems across the Rockies and Great Plains.

Further out, the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day outlook (valid May 17–21, 2026) favors above-normal temperatures across Hawaii and most of the contiguous U.S., with the most intense heat probability concentrated in the Southeast. Areas along the northern border and southern parts of Alaska are favored to be cooler-than-average during this period. Probabilities for above-normal precipitation are increased across Hawaii and the vast majority of the lower 48 states and Alaska. In contrast, below-normal precipitation is favored across the West Coast, particularly over northern California, and in parts of the East Coast, from the Mid-Atlantic to the Carolinas.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (5/12)

2026-05-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 57% Planted, Soybeans 49% Planted, Winter Wheat Rated 28% Good to Excellent as of May 10

2026-05-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- Corn planting was over halfway finished by the end of last week, while soybean planting continued ahead of last year's pace and its five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Planting progress is expected to improve this week as temperatures rise and most areas turn drier, though drought conditions continue in parts of the Central Plains and Southeast, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

CORN

-- Planting progress: 57% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, 2 points behind last year's pace of 59% and 5 points ahead of the five-year average of 52%. "Tennessee and Kentucky lead the pack at 92% and 87% planted," DTN Senior Analyst Dana Mantini said. "Major states Iowa and Illinois are 72% and 54% planted, respectively."

-- Crop development: 23% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 3 points behind last year's 26% and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 19%.

SOYBEANS

-- Planting progress: An estimated 49% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year at this time and 13 points ahead of the five-year average of 36%. Soybean planting continues to progress quickly in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, with Iowa and Illinois at 60% and 57% planted and ahead of average, Mantini said.

-- Crop development: 20% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year and 8 points ahead of the five-year average of 12%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Crop condition: An estimated 40% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of May 10, up 22 percentage points from 18% a year ago, according to NASS.

-- Crop development: 61% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 10 percentage points ahead of last year's 51% and 16 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 45%. Top winter-wheat-producer Kansas' crop was 86% headed, 19 points ahead of last year at this time and 37 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Planting progress: 53% of the crop was planted nationwide as of May 10, 10 percentage points behind last year's pace of 63% and 2 percentage points ahead the five-year average of 51%. Washington is nearly finished at 94% complete, while North Dakota is the furthest behind at 42% planted, lagging last year's pace but still ahead of its five-year average.

-- Crop development: 23% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, 2 percentage points behind last year's pace of 25% and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 19%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Planting weather is expected to improve across much of the Plains and Midwest this week with warmer temperatures and drier conditions, though a system arriving this weekend could slow progress, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"Though we got some nice precipitation across the Central Plains and Southeast last week, we still have a lot of drought on the Drought Monitor to deal with," Baranick said. "Long-term deficits are rather large despite some heavy rainfall in parts of the Southeast, so there isn't much subsoil moisture to rely on once the topsoil moisture is used up.

"Frosts across the north have been an issue for planting, and we had some frosts on Monday morning as well, but temperatures will be rising for the rest of the week. It may take until the end of the week to get to the eastern Great Lakes, but it's coming. Planters will be in full force this week as long as precipitation isn't too crazy.

"We will get some showers this week, but overall, most areas are going to be drier, which should help planting progress. We will see a little system moving through the Northern Plains on Monday and the Midwest on Tuesday and Wednesday. Showers do not look very intense. Another system will move mostly through the Canadian Prairies from Thursday through Saturday. The front to the system will bring showers down into the Plains and Midwest, but again, the coverage looks rather low.

"This weekend though, a system is setting up to work through the Northern Plains and into the Midwest. More widespread precipitation is likely and will continue southward along the cold front going into next week. That should be enough to cause a pause in planting progress, but may get some rain into those areas that need it as well. The Southeast will not be as lucky as after Monday it is looking rather dry there through the coming weekend, not helping with the drought situation. We may see some colder temperatures across the Canadian Prairies into the far northern Plains behind that system into early next week, but frosts risks are pretty low for as of the latest forecasts."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	57	38	59	52
Corn Emerged	23	13	26	19
Soybeans Planted	49	33	45	36
Soybeans Emerged	20	13	16	12
Winter Wheat Headed	61	49	51	45
Spring Wheat Planted	53	32	63	51
Spring Wheat Emerged	23	10	25	19
Cotton Planted	29	21	27	28
Sorghum Planted	25	22	26	24
Oats Planted	76	63	80	73
Oats Emerged	50	43	57	52
Barley Planted	65	49	61	58
Barley Emerged	33	22	27	25
Rice Planted	84	79	79	77
Rice Emerged	69	61	63	57
Sugarbeets Planted	79	55	90	72
Peanuts Planted	25	13	32	30



National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	This Week					Last Week					Last Year
	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wheat	16	24	32	23	5	13	24	32	26	5	6	12	28	46	8
Rice	-	3	24	64	9	-	2	24	66	8	1	1	21	49	28

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (5/11)

2026-05-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

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:	1305571 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (5/7)

2026-05-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Widespread soaking rains fell across Texas and the Deep South, bringing a much needed moisture boost to these drought stricken areas. While sufficient to ease drought conditions across portions of Texas, the lower Mississippi Valley, and the Tennessee Valley, drought conditions remained mostly unchanged across southeastern Alabama, Georgia and northwestern Florida, where soil moisture and streamflows remain extremely low. Lighter rainfall also overspread the Northeast, which, combined with cooler temperatures helped slow the advancement of drought, and improved drought conditions in Maine. Where lighter accumulations occurred, there was slight expansion of drought and abnormal dryness across portions of the mid-Atlantic, Hudson Valley, and southeastern New England. Cooler temperatures and mostly dry weather overspread the Plains and Midwest. While drought conditions continued to expand across the Plains, the drier weather was mostly welcome across the upper Midwest and Corn Belt, allowing fieldwork to progress. Hot, dry weather promoted degradation across Arizona and northwestern Washington, while late season moisture across northern California did little to change the meager snowpack conditions.

Northeast

Light to moderate precipitation overspread the Northeast region during the past week. The highest accumulations fell across Maine, resulting in some modest improvements to drought and abnormal dryness. Elsewhere, accumulations tended to be higher along and west of the mountains, and lighter (less than 0.5 inch) across the drought areas of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Cooler than average temperatures lowered evapotranspiration rates, which helped to stave off more widespread degradation. Drought indices at multiple time scales, including the SPI, supported drought expansion across the Delmarva peninsula. Abnormal dryness expanded across portions of the Hudson Valley and southeastern Massachusetts, while drought intensified in southeastern New Hampshire.

Southeast

An active weather pattern brought widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to the Deep South, providing a much needed moisture boost to drought stricken areas. Total accumulations over the 7-day period topped 2 inches across much of Mississippi and Alabama, southern Georgia, and the western Florida Panhandle, and in some locations were significantly higher. The rainfall eased drought conditions across portions of Mississippi and northern Alabama, though widespread severe to exceptional drought continues. While beneficial, the rainfall did little more than stabilize conditions further east, across much of Georgia and northern Florida, where soil moisture and streamflows remain very low. No change in the drought depiction occurred in these regions, and more sustained rainfall would be needed to begin easing drought conditions. Lighter precipitation fell across the Florida peninsula, where drought conditions slowly expanded. Drought conditions remained stable in South Carolina, but drier conditions across North Carolina and Virginia resulted in some expansion of drought and abnormal dryness.

South

Following last week's beneficial rainfall, additional rain overspread much of Texas and Louisiana over the last several days, sparking additional drought reductions. Rainfall across central and western Texas eased drought across the upper Rio Grande Valley as well. Despite the beneficial rainfall, widespread severe to exceptional drought continues across the South Region, and it will take a sustained series of heavy precipitation events to begin any widespread easing of impacts. The beneficial rainfall missed the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma, where poor conditions continue to affect rangeland and winter wheat. Drought conditions also expanded across Arkansas.

Midwest

Following a period of sustained wetness across the region, drier conditions overspread the Midwest over the last 7 days. Unseasonable cold reduced evapotranspiration rates, and the pause in precipitation was mostly welcome for fieldwork activities that were delayed by the frequent storm systems. Impacts from drought and abnormal dryness eased across northern Minnesota and along the southern Indiana and Illinois border. Slight degradations were noted across southeastern Missouri and right along the Ohio River in south-central Indiana, as these regions missed out on some of the prior precipitation.

High Plains

Light to moderate precipitation overspread much of the High Plains, with the heaviest accumulations (0.5 - 1.5 inch) falling across central Colorado, including late season snow across the higher elevations. This precipitation resulted in some drought reduction across central Colorado. Across the rest of the Plains, however, the moisture was not sufficient to engender substantive improvements. Despite cooler temperatures lowering evapotranspiration rates, some degradation occurred across Kansas and Nebraska, and far western North Dakota.

West

Outside of northern California, where late season moisture provided a boost to short-term streamflows and soil moisture but did little to change the unusually low snow cover across the northern Sierras, seasonably dry weather overspread most of the West. Recent moisture eased drought conditions across far western Montana. While little change to the drought depiction occurred across the West, hot, dry conditions exacerbated impacts across Arizona, resulting in some substantial degradation. Short term dryness also increased across northwestern Washington, resulting in expansion of D0.

Caribbean

No drought or abnormal dryness is currently in place across Puerto Rico. Some portions of the island have been experiencing drier conditions in recent weeks, and will have to be monitored into the early summer months.

Little to no precipitation fell across the U.S. Virgin Islands this week. St. Croix recorded between 0.13 inches to trace amounts. Similarly, St. John recorded 0.3 inches and St. Thomas recorded only trace amounts of rain. The Adventure 28 Well (St. Croix) recorded water depth of 20.72 ft. as of this week. This is 0.2 feet lower compared to last week and 3.56 feet lower compared to last year. The Susannaberg DPW 3 Well (St. John) recorded a water depth of 13.44 feet as of this week. This is 0.2 feet lower compared to last week and 3.63 feet lower compared to last year. The Grade School 3 Well (St. Thomas) has a water depth of 7.64 feet as of this week. This is 1.7 feet lower than last week and 2.77 feet lower compared to last year. Despite little-to-no rainfall, short-term SPI values are showing mostly neutral conditions, leaving all islands free of abnormal dryness or drought.

Pacific

Following above-normal precipitation across much of the state during April, coverage of abnormal dryness reduced across much of Alaska. Some D0 remains in the Kenai peninsula and the vicinity of Anchorage, where orographic effects reduced the amount of precipitation that fell.

Conditions across Hawaii's Big Island continue to improve, and vegetation has greened up over the past few weeks. Based on this assessment, the small remaining area of moderate drought was removed.

Rain was mixed across the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The islands of Jaluit and Majuro received adequate rainfall with 4.32 and 2.06 inches of rain this week, respectively. Kwajalein and Ailingalapalap saw 1.82 and 1.98 inches respectively, while Utirik, Wotje and Mili received less than half an inch of rain this week (0.31”, 0.3” and 0,1”). Despite some islands receiving little precipitation, decent precipitation during the prior weeks kept all islands free of abnormal dryness or drought.

The Federated States of Micronesia received heavy precipitation across most island, with some islands experiencing over 4 inches of precipitation. This heavy precipitation led to Lukunor abnormally dry conditions being improved to no dryness. Ulithi received 0.78 inches of rain this week and remains in abnormal dryness. Yap, despite receiving 4.39 inches of rain, remains in abnormal dryness due to poor precipitation over the previous weeks. Woleai (1.42”), Chuuk Lagoon (5.7”), Nukuoro (5.28”), Kapingamarangi (2.56”), Pohnpei (5.4”) and Kosrae (5.51”) all remain free of abnormal dryness.

The Republic of Palau remains abnormally dry with Koror recording 1.4 inches of rain this week following a dry April.

The Marianas Islands saw a mix of light and moderate precipitation this week. Guam saw a mix of decent to good precipitation with Dededo recording 0.31 inches, Agat with 1.62 inches and the airport 1.40 inches of rain this week. Saipan and Rota received 0.51 and 0.32 inches respectively. While the prior two weeks saw poor precipitation, well above normal precipitation from the typhoon has mitigated some of this dryness though Rota still has several weeks with missing data. Tinian data is missing.

American Samoa experienced wet week, with Pago Pago receiving 3.45 inches of rain. Additionally, the Siufaga and Toa Ridge received 2.64 inches and 2.62 inches of rain this week, respectively. American Samoa will remain free of drought and dryness.

Looking Ahead

During the next 7 days, an active pattern is favored to continue across the Southeast, with heavy rainfall (2 - 7 inches) possible along a swath from eastern Texas through southern Alabama. These rains would continue to bring drought relief and also a threat of severe weather. Lesser accumulations are favored across Georgia and Florida, which may limit the extent of any improvements. Widespread precipitation is also favored along the Ohio Valley and across the eastern seaboard, with the greatest potential for relief across the Northeast. Somewhat drier conditions across the mid-Atlantic may limit the potential for drought improvement. Light accumulations forecast across the Plains may do little to ease drought conditions, while another week of seasonable dryness is forecast across the West. Above-average temperatures across the West favor an acceleration of snowmelt, which may bring short term reservoir boosts but leaves the water supply even more short as summer approaches. Below-average temperatures are favored for the eastern half of the CONUS.

During the 8-14 day period, above-average temperatures are favored for much of the lower-48, with near normal temperatures forecast for the Northeast. Above-average precipitation is forecast for the southern tier, with the highest probabilities across Texas, eastern New Mexico, and Louisiana. A slight tilt towards above-normal precipitation extends across the Great Lakes Region into the Northeast, while below-average precipitation is favored for the northern Rockies.

Farmer Sentiment Declines in April Amid Input Costs and Availability Concerns

2026-05-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Farmer sentiment dropped in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index declined from 127 in March to 121. The Current Conditions Index fell by 11 points, while the Future Expectations Index decreased by 4 points. This month’s Future Expectations Index was 16 points below last year’s December index and 28 points below last year’s April index. The percentage of respondents who listed high input costs as their biggest concern remained at 46% this month, while the percentage who listed input availability as their biggest concern increased from 11% to 14%. The percentage of respondents who think the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” and who expect land prices to be higher five years from now also decreased. The April barometer survey was conducted among 400 farmers across the nation from April 13–17, 2026.

Only 15% of respondents indicated that their farm operations were better off in April than they had been a year ago. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 28% expected worse financial performance, compared with 25% who expected better financial performance. The Farm Capital Investment Index fell 9 points to 44, its lowest level since October 2024, indicating a decline in willingness to make large investments.

This month’s survey included questions related to the impact of the Iran conflict on net farm income and corn breakeven prices in 2026. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents expected their net farm income to decline in 2026 due to the Iran conflict, which began in late February and affected fertilizer and natural gas prices worldwide.

Among respondents who planted corn in 2025, approximately one-half expected corn breakeven prices to increase by up to 6%, 14% expected breakeven prices to increase 6% to 9%, and 37% expected breakeven prices to increase 10% or more.

Periodically, the monthly survey includes questions pertaining to a farm’s competitive position and its ability to manage strategic risk. This month’s survey asked respondents how strongly they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: We have low per-unit fixed costs relative to our most efficient peers. Approximately 58% of respondents agreed with this statement, with 9% indicating that they strongly agreed.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index decreased from 125 to 121, and the long-term index decreased from 159 in March to 155 in April. Alternative investments, interest rates, and inflation were cited as the three factors having the greatest influence on farmland values.

As in the last few months, producers were asked whether the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” The percentage of producers who reported that the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” fell from 65% in March to 57% in April.

Wrapping Up

Farmer sentiment decreased from 127 in March to 121 in April. The decline in sentiment regarding current conditions was larger than the corresponding decline in sentiment related to future expectations. The percentage of producers who expected good times in the next five years was 37% in April, which is 19% lower than the April 2025 survey report. There continues to be a large disparity in expectations between crop and livestock producers. Approximately 31% of respondents expected good times for crop producers, while 69% expected good times for livestock producers.

Concerns about input costs remained high, and a higher percentage of respondents indicated that input availability is a major concern, likely driven by the uncertainty the Iran conflict has caused in fertilizer markets. A lower percentage of respondents indicated that U.S. policy is headed in the “right direction”, along with a lower percentage expecting land values to increase in the next five years, pointing to less optimism regarding long-run sentiment.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (5/5)

2026-05-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 38% Planted, Soybeans 33% Planted, Winter Wheat Rated 31% Good to Excellent as of May 3

2026-05-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- U.S. corn planting is ahead of its five-year average, while soybean planting is ahead of both last year's pace and its five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Cold air and weekend frosts and freezes may have affected crops and delayed planting, especially in the Northern Plains, while a major front is forecast to produce widespread rain across much of the country, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

CORN

-- Planting progress: 38% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, equal to last year's pace and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 34%. Tennessee was the furthest along at 87% complete, followed by Texas and Kentucky, both at 77%. "Top producing states such as Iowa and Illinois have moved over the one-third completion mark," according to DTN Lead Analyst Rhett Montgomery.

-- Crop development: 13% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 3 points ahead of last year's 10% and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 9%.

SOYBEANS

-- Planting progress: An estimated 33% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 5 points ahead of last year at this time and 10 points ahead of the five-year average of 23%. Southeastern growing regions such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas continue to lead in progress on a state-by-state basis, with Louisiana at 84% complete, Mississippi at 77%, and Arkansas at 73%, Montgomery said.

-- Crop development: 13% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 7 points ahead of last year and 8 points ahead of the five-year average of 5%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Crop condition: An estimated 37% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of May 3, up 19 percentage points from 18% a year ago, according to NASS.

-- Crop development: 49% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 12 percentage points ahead of last year's 37% and 17 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 32%. Top winter-wheat-producer Kansas' crop was 70% headed, 29 points ahead of last year at this time and 42 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Planting progress: 32% of the crop was planted nationwide as of May 3, 10 percentage points behind last year's pace of 42% and 3 percentage points behind the five-year average of 35%. Washington was 87% complete, while Minnesota lagged the furthest behind its five-year average at 20% complete compared to its 32% average.

-- Crop development: 10% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, 2 percentage points behind last year's pace of 12% and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 9%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Weekend frosts and freezes may have impacted wheat and emerging crops, with more cold ahead likely to slow planting, while a major front is expected to bring widespread rain through the end of the week for most of the country, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"Well, we probably didn't see much coming into the Crop Progress report this week, but frosts and freezes on Saturday probably had some impact to the wheat and possibly the emergent corn and soybeans in parts of the Central Plains and Midwest," Baranick said.

"This week ushers in more cold air, and potential for frosts and some freezes are possible again. They will be dependent on clear skies and calm winds for most areas, but they will be possible. The Northern Plains continues to get cold air that has limited planting up that way and will likely do so again this week as well.

"If there's any good news, it's that the weather pattern is active and we've got a major front to produce widespread rain for much of the country through Friday and more showers are expected behind the front for the rest of the week and through the weekend. Some pockets of heavy rain may be possible in that, too. Much of the Delta, Ohio Valley, and Southeast are poised to get some above-normal rainfall over the next seven days that will help to increase soil moisture and reduce drought, but deficits are very large and need more active weather to eliminate.

"This includes the very dry western Plains, too, though not all areas are going to see good amounts. However, some areas are going to pick up more than half an inch of precipitation. The bad news is that it is going to come as mostly snow up against the Rockies, where areas from Cheyenne to Denver may pick up more than a foot. The chances for snow may even reach western Nebraska and Kansas as well. Will accumulating snow protect the wheat, and emerging corn and soybeans from frost? Or will the snow and ice-cold rain produce their own problems? There are lots of question marks that are hard to answer right now."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	38	25	38	34
Corn Emerged	13	7	10	9
Soybeans Planted	33	23	28	23
Soybeans Emerged	13	8	6	5
Winter Wheat Headed	49	34	37	32
Spring Wheat Planted	32	19	42	35
Spring Wheat Emerged	10	5	12	9
Cotton Planted	21	16	20	19
Sorghum Planted	22	20	23	22
Oats Planted	63	53	70	63
Oats Emerged	43	34	46	42
Barley Planted	49	34	48	43
Barley Emerged	22	11	17	13
Rice Planted	79	69	72	66
Rice Emerged	61	49	52	44
Sugarbeets Planted	55	15	79	58
Peanuts Planted	13	7	17	15

National Crop Condition Summary

(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)

This Week

Last Week

Last Year

Winter Wheat

Rice

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (5/4)

2026-05-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 71 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	1155283 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

May Washington D.C. Outlook

2026-05-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Washington is entering a busy policy period marked by uncertainty across key issues, geopolitical risk and mounting pressure on key institutions. Lawmakers are advancing major legislation across sectors — from financial regulation and tax measures to agriculture and defense — while struggling to resolve deep partisan divides and procedural constraints. POLITICO's policy teams are closely tracking these developments throughout the month, with a focus on the pivotal decisions and moments that will drive policy and markets.

— The 60-day clock on U.S. operations in Iran is expiring, with GOP support showing early signs of strain.

— Markets are bracing for potential policy shifts as Kevin Warsh’s nomination advances ahead of the May 15 leadership change at the Federal Reserve.

— U.S. fuel costs are beginning to climb more sharply as global supply disruptions tighten markets ahead of peak summer demand.

Agriculture

— Farm bill: The House voted to advance the farm bill April 30, marking the furthest progress on the legislation since 2018. The vote came after a long night of negotiations over year-round sale of E15, the ethanol gasoline blend.

A farm bill amendment that would approve year-round sales of the biofuel was separated from the farm bill, which caused a revolt among its GOP backers who threatened the timing of the Thursday vote. The caucus ultimately struck a deal with House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the legislation to the floor in mid-May.

The E15 legislation will have to be formally divorced from the farm bill in a new rule after May recess.

The farm bill will now head to the Senate, where Agriculture Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) is expected to rework some controversial provisions that could weaken the package’s chances in the upper chamber.

— Fertilizer crisis: As the Iran war continues, so does the fertilizer price crisis that has shocked the global agricultural supply chain. The Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway through which a third of the world’s fertilizer supply flows, has been throttled by Iran and continues to be blockaded, with an erratic trickle of shipping passing through.

Industry experts say it will take months for the strait to return to normal traffic, because even after the war’s conclusion, mines will still need to be cleared. Farmers and market experts say that the window for supply reaching North America for spring planting season has passed. They now worry that if the conflict stretches on, fall purchases for spring 2027 planting will be impacted.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has repeatedly said that she speaks with fertilizer executives and other administration officials daily to discuss potential ameliorations to the crisis

— MAHA-MAGA break: The Make America Healthy Again movement, part of the coalition that elected President Trump in 2024, rallied in front of the Supreme Court building on April 27 before the high court heard arguments in Monsanto v. Durnell, a lawsuit against Monsanto, which is owned by Bayer, the maker of the herbicide Roundup.

Bayer argued that federal law supersedes state law when it comes to pesticide labeling. A forthcoming ruling in the company’s favor would shield Bayer against future litigation related to the lack of cancer warnings on its products.

MAHA leaders who spoke at the event warned that the Trump administration’s repeated siding with Bayer in the case could lead to the base’s disloyalty to the GOP in midterms. — Rachel Shin

Trade

— U.S.-China summit: President Trump will travel to Beijing on May 14 -15 for his first meeting in nearly a decade with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The aim is to build on a November trade agreement between the two countries that lowered trade tensions — including restarting the flow of critical minerals from China and Chinese purchases of U.S. crops.

The aim is to build on a November trade agreement between the two countries that lowered trade tensions — including restarting the flow of critical minerals from China and Chinese purchases of U.S. crops.

The two leaders are likely to extend that detente at the Beijing summit; the Trump administration has lowered expectations for any major breakthroughs on its broader goals of fundamentally rebalancing trade between the two economic powers.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified in Congress in late April that he expected new Chinese purchases of American ag products to be one of the major “deliverables” from the meeting. Farmers are also pressing Trump to convince Xi to remove a 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. soybeans.

Ag groups, however, also warned USTR last week that its trade investigation into forced labor in China and other countries — a probe that could lead to future tariff increases — risked undermining Beijing’s renewed purchasing commitments.

USTR launched the forced labor investigations and another probe into excess manufacturing capacity in dozens of countries earlier this spring, as it lays the groundwork to reimpose Trump tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down in February. — Emily Cadei, Ari Hawkins

Financial Services

— Warsh-Fed: The Senate is expected to vote on Kevin Warsh’s nomination to head the Federal Reserve before current Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends on May 15. Warsh would take over the central bank at a time of significant uncertainty for the economy, with the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring and the labor market showing little growth. He’ll also have to contend with Trump’s relentless pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates. –Jasper Goodman

— Crypto-Market: Senate Banking Committee Republicans are targeting May to advance major crypto market structure legislation. Lawmakers are close to resolving a lobbying clash over whether issuers of stablecoin — crypto tokens linked to the dollar — can offer customers yield, a move that banks strongly oppose. But they still need to resolve other issues, including concerns from law enforcement groups over financial licensing exemptions in the bill. The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled a markup on a bill to modernize the Bank Secrecy Act, bank-fintech collaborations and equity market transparency.

— Iran-Fallout: The war’s initial impact on the U.S. economy hasn’t been as severe as many had feared. While inflation surged in March, that was largely due to a spike in gas prices that could quickly recede if global supplies of oil and gas rebound. But the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, and with businesses feeling pressure from rising energy costs, consumer prices could start to climb even higher. We’ll know more when the May 8 jobs report is released, and the consumer price index comes out on May 12.

— HUD-Markup: The House is slated to take up the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s budget, with a subcommittee markup on May 21. Lawmakers will have to decide whether to move forward with significant spending cuts proposed by the White House. The presidential budget suggested slashing programs — like HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants to local nonprofits — that the White House disparaged as left-wing. Congress rejected similar proposals to limit federal housing assistance in the previous appropriations cycle.

— Prediction-Markets: Insider trading on the prediction markets has been a chief concern in Washington, heightened last month when a U.S. soldier was charged with allegedly trading on classified information through Polymarket. Be on the watch for new signs that the Justice Department and Commodity Futures Trading Commission will step up enforcement. — Cassandra Dumay, Jasper Goodman, Declan Harty, Katherine Hapgood, Sam Sutton

Tax

— More reconciliation? It may be an election year, but lawmakers are weighing two potential paths for enacting more tax measures in the coming months.

— Partisan track: Republican leaders have basically frozen out everything besides immigration enforcement funding in the GOP-only fiscal plan they’re currently struggling to pass.

With that in mind, GOP leaders are signaling interest in pursuing a third budget reconciliation bill later this Congress, in part to assuage those who would want tax provisions to be in the mix for the current immigration vehicle.

That path faces significant hurdles. Under budget rules, the GOP could only pass such a measure until October — just weeks before the midterms.

Lawmakers have a wide array of tax provisions they’d like to prioritize, including competing demands for both tax relief and revenue-raising measures — which could make it challenging to assemble a third Reconciliation package.

— Bipartisan track: Both Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo(R-Idaho) and House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) had said that they wanted to focus on bipartisan priorities for 2026.

And even with the talk of more reconciliation, lawmakers do seem to be trying to position themselves for a potential year-end tax package filled with ideas that could be supported by both parties.

The House recently passed seven separate targeted tax measures with little to no opposition, which covered a variety of tax administration issues, expanded tax breaks for teachers and exempted damages from sexual assault settlements from federal income taxes.

Smith also said this week that he wants to proceed on a cryptocurrency tax measure that is almost finished — but only if it picks up Democratic support.

— Trump and the IRS: A federal judge has scheduled a May 27 hearing to consider whether President Trump can proceed with a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, raising unusual legal and conflict-of-interest questions about a sitting president suing the agency he oversees. — Bernie Becker

Employment and Immigration

— Funding outlook: Congressional appropriators are due to lay out their vision for funding the agencies tasked with policing workplaces across the country.

The White House proposed significant cuts to both the Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board, while sparing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which has undergone a makeover in the past year to align with Trump administration policy views.

House lawmakers have proposed a double-digit percentage reduction to the EEOC — an ominous sign for the other agencies. That said, Republicans have previously pursued major cutbacks only to see them scaled back in the Senate.

— Upcoming hearings: Appropriations committees in both chambers are in the midst of hearings with agency leaders tied to the budget debate, but Labor, the NLRB and the EEOC have yet to have their time on the hot seat.

DOL’s hearing is expected to be the most fraught of the three, given Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s recent resignation in the face of an investigation of alleged wrongdoing by the agency’s inspector general.

Chavez-DeRemer’s former deputy, Keith Sonderling, has taken over as acting secretary. He is likely to face questions from lawmakers about what was happening inside the department under his predecessor’s watch.

— Appropriations dynamics: The EEOC is funded through the Commerce-Justice-Science bill while the other two are grouped in a different package that includes the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. That bill is typically among the most contentious, often delayed by partisan policy disputes.

The fiscal year runs through the end of September, though Congress frequently relies on short-term funding measures to keep the government operating while negotiations — Greg Mott

Education

— Neg reg, part two: The Education Department will soon launch the second phase of its negotiated rulemaking to overhaul the college oversight system. But many sticking points remain and it’s uncertain whether the panel will be able to reach consensus .

Accreditors serve as gatekeepers for the federal student loan program. If a school is not approved by a federally recognized accreditor, it cannot accept federal student loans or Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college. The Trump administration has sought to reshape the accreditation field, arguing it is too left-leaning and restrictive.

A gulf of disagreement remains between negotiators and the department — and many are predicting a contentious second week of negotiations. The agency’s more than 150-page proposed regulation did not undergo major changes during the April session, but the panel is expected to go through the measure in detail at this month’s session.

Some of the toughest barriers to reaching consensus include the department’s proposal to ease the transfer of credits between schools, requirements related to viewpoint diversity on campus, and a policy that could allow the agency to continue giving a school access to federal student loans even if its accreditor takes negative action against the institution. Some negotiators believe these proposals run afoul of federal higher education law.

Top agency officials have already said they’re moving forward with the plan whether the higher education community likes it or not. If the panel fails to reach consensus, the department gains full authority to write the regulation as it sees fit. That means representatives for accreditors, schools and others on the panel will have to make a decision: approve the current proposal or potentially be stuck with an unfavorable policy with none of their input. — Bianca Quilantan

Defense

— Iran war milestone: The U.S. military campaign in Iran is hitting a a key legal and political inflection point that could test GOP lawmaker support for President Donald Trump's war agenda and put increased pressure on the administration to detail an endgame.

Friday marks 60 days since Trump notified Congress of the U.S. attacks on Iran. That is the legal deadline for military operations to shut down unless Congress authorizes it, although the White House can unilaterally extend that deadline for another 30 days.

While Democratic-led efforts to rein in Trump have fallen flat since the war began in February, the 60-day deadline could prove more impactful. Several Republicans have indicated they're uneasy supporting the war past that point. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and others are drafting an authorization for continued military operations against Iran.

GOP concerns — and the potential that Republicans could turn on the administration as higher fuel prices and other economic fallout weigh on their midterm prospects — could lead administration officials to make a renewed case for the conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. was on a path to victory this week, although did not detail how that would play out. Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is planning a public hearing as early as May.

— Budget push: Budget and military posture hearings kick into high gear this month as Pentagon officials crisscross Capitol Hill to make the case for the administration's record breaking $1.5 trillion proposal.

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs chair Gen. Dan Caine testified about the budget at the House and Senate Armed Services panels, even if they spent much of their time discussing the war. Other hearings will follow with House and Senate appropriators. Lawmakers will also hear from other military leaders on their spending priorities.

Congressional committees will begin marking up their annual defense policy and spending bills in June. — Connor O'Brien

Health Care

— Speedier drug trials: The Food and Drug Administration is eyeing an opportunity to significantly reduce the time it takes to run clinical trials for new drugs.

The agency aims to do that by advancing a system whereby drug developers report efficacy and safety data to the agency in real-time.

Already two such trials are underway examining cancer therapies from Amgen and AstraZeneca.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the “continuous” trial concept could slash the “dead time” spent on paperwork that occurs between trial phases and regulatory submission.

The FDA is issuing a request for information to design a broader real-time trial pilot program, with plans to outline final selection metrics in July and choose participants in August, the agency said.

If scaled, this could accelerate time-to-market for new therapies and lower development costs but may also increase regulatory scrutiny during trials.

— Health fraud crackdown: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz is taking his fraud busting effort to all 50 states.

Oz recently unveiled a nationwide plan to crack down on alleged Medicaid fraud, announcing his agency will require all states to submit a plan by late May on how they will revalidate Medicaid providers who serve the low-income patients in the program.

The Trump administration contends that bad actors have taken advantage of reduced oversight during the pandemic to fleece the government and that its push to root out fraud shows how Republicans are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

So far, Oz has sent letters to California, Florida, Maine and New York alleging fraud in their Medicaid programs. Last month, CMS approved a plan submitted by Minnesota to combat Medicaid fraud after threatening a $2 billion cut to future Medicaid payments to the state due to noncompliance. — Health Care Pro Team

Transportation

— Looking for agreement: Cross-chamber staff talks are underway as the House and Senate mull how to address Washington’s midair collision last year. Reaching a deal could be tricky, with major differences between the House-passed ALERT Act and the Senate-OK’d ROTOR Act. The biggest sticking point: provisions related to equipping aircraft with technology aimed at preventing midair collisions.

The Senate bill’s backers argue that the House legislation doesn’t go far enough in boosting aviation safety, while the House bill’s supporters say their measure is in fact more comprehensive. The divide between the House and Senate approaches is raising doubts about whether a final agreement can be reached in the near term.

— Waiting for action: Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize expiring surface transportation authorities, and many now believe an extension will be needed. A key markup in the House Transportation Committee keeps getting pushed back, with lawmakers continuing to haggle over the legislation’s top line. Bill text has yet to be released. And looming over it all is the question of whether President Trump will get more involved. It all adds to a difficult environment for Congress to get the legislation over the finish line before this fall, especially during an election year.

— DHS’ difficult 2026: It was a tough few months for the Department of Homeland Security, especially at the Transportation Security Administration, which was shut down in mid-February due to a funding lapse. Congress finally approved funding April 30. More than 1,100 TSA officers have quit during the appropriations lapse, raising concerns about FIFA World Cup preparedness this summer. And it raised the question: What will happen in September as another funding deadline approaches, just before the midterms? — Sam Ogozalek

Technology

— Broadcast litigation bonanza: The fate of the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna is now squarely before the courts. The deal creating the largest broadcaster was approved by the Federal Communications Commission and Justice Department, but a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California put it on hold in April.

Much remains in the air heading into May as Nexstar appeals to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, public interest, labor and the cable industry groups (including conservative cable company Newsmax) are separately challenging the FCC’s approval in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

President Trump has endorsed the deal, believing it will boost conservative TV, and lawmakers are watching given the merger will create the nation’s largest TV broadcaster, with more than 250 stations.

— House E&C moves on privacy: Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee expect to host a hearing on the SECURE Data Act in May, according to two people familiar with the plan who were not authorized to speak publicly about the legislation.

The bill, introduced in late April, would set a national data privacy standard. The proposal includes a data broker registry and opt-in requirements for collecting sensitive information.

The legislation is built on state data protection laws that have passed in both Republican and Democratic states. Privacy advocates criticized these bills and the federal proposal, arguing they are filled with loopholes and are too lenient.

Republicans hope Democrats back the legislation in the House, and the May hearing is likely the first step in building that support.

— All eyes on AI: Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) is expected to introduce a broad artificial intelligence framework this month, with an emphasis on federal standards that could preempt state laws.

Obernolte, who was elected GOP conference policy chair last month and co-led an AI taskforce with Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), has long maintained that any federal AI proposal requires meaningful input from both parties. However, the White House's AI policy wishlist includes measures opposed by Democrats by overriding what it views as “burdensome” state laws and guardrails touching on electricity costs, kids’ online safety, free speech and copyright.

Obernolte must balance these competing interests, especially if he wants to roll out his framework with a Democratic cosponsor. One Democrat eager to strike a deal with Republicans on AI legislation is already out: Rep. Sam Liccardo of California said in late April that he “won’t be on the bill” because it falls short of his requirements around privacy, cybersecurity and other safety concerns.

Now, all focus will be on Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Lieu — two possible Democratic dealmakers — and whether they will endorse Obernolte’s expected legislation. — John Hendel, Alfred Ng, Gabby Miller

Cybersecurity

— Emerging tech: Tech company Anthropic last month unveiled Claude Mythos, an advanced artificial intelligence model, to a select group of tech firms and security researchers. The AI-maker vowed to release it only to this limited cohort, dubbed Project Glasswing, because of its model's unprecedented cyber threat-hunting capabilities.

Since then, the private sector, the Trump administration and allied governments have all sought access to Mythos and more information on the risks it may pose to critical infrastructure. The White House held multiple meetings in April with Anthropic representatives to better understand the model and to ease tensions following a months-long legal dispute over the company’s efforts to set ethical limits on government AI use. The White House also hosted a meeting this week to solicit private sector feedback on an upcoming executive order on AI security.

We’ll be watching for more details on an upcoming executive action on AI security, which is currently being reviewed by federal agencies and the private sector.

— At the agencies: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will remain without a Senate-confirmed leader for the foreseeable future. Sean Plankey officially withdrew from consideration to head CISA last month after his nomination stalled in the Senate for more than a year.

Plankey, widely viewed as a stabilizing pick to lead CISA, informed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the White House in mid-April that he was ending his bid. “After thirteen months since my initial nomination, it has become clear the Senate will not confirm me,” he said in a statement.

We’ll be watching for news on Trump’s potential picks to serve as the Senate-confirmed director for the top cyber defense agency.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has launched multiple efforts to counter nation-state cyber operations, including an FBI-led initiative to dismantle a Russia-backed hacking campaign targeting home and office routers.

— On the Hill: House lawmakers spent April debating a path forward to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s politically fraught spying authority.

The House and Senate failed to reach an agreement and instead settled for a six-week extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows intelligence agencies to collect foreign communications data without a warrant. The short-term extension followed weeks of agonizing negotiations and intraparty disputes over privacy concerns that the authority sweeps up Americans' data, from both Democrats and Republicans.

Lawmakers will continue working to secure a longer-term extension ahead of the new June deadline.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee’s cyber subcommittee selected Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez to serve as the new ranking member of the panel. Her appointment replaces former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from Congress this month. Ramirez said she plans to use the role to increase oversight of CISA funding cuts and federal data security practices. — Dana Nickel

March Ag Prices Received Index Up 1.1 Percent; Prices Paid Up 0.5 Percent

2026-04-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

March Prices Received Index Up 1.1 Percent

The March Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 131.5, increased 1.1 percent from February but decreased 7.8 percent from March 2025. At 96.3, the Crop Production Index was down 4.2 percent from last month but up 0.9 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 157.7, increased 2.6 percent from February, but decreased 14 percent from March last year. Producers received higher prices during March for market eggs, milk, soybeans, and corn but lower prices for lettuce, cattle, broccoli, and strawberries. In addition to prices, the volume change of commodities marketed also influences the indexes. In March, there was increased monthly movement for strawberries, cattle, calves, and milk and decreased marketing of apples, cotton, soybeans, and onions.

March Prices Paid Index Up 0.5 Percent

The March Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 160.4, is up 0.5 percent from February 2026 and 8.7 percent from March 2025. Higher prices in March for diesel, complete feeds, gasoline, and LP gas more than offset lower prices for feeder cattle, concentrates, herbicides, and insecticides.

This Week's Drought Summary (4/30)

2026-04-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Rain continued to bypass the central and southern High Plains, leaving rangeland, pastures, and winter wheat in desperate need of moisture. Farther east, however, showers and thunderstorms continued to ease drought across the eastern Plains, extending into the mid-South and Mississippi Delta. Some of the heaviest rain, accompanied by locally severe thunderstorms, fell from eastern Kansas into the lower Midwest. The remainder of the Midwest also received some precipitation, although some of the region’s wettest areas in the Great Lakes States got a break from the excessive rain that had led to pockets of record flooding earlier in the month. In contrast, much of New England and northern sections of New York were cool and dry. Elsewhere, unsettled, showery weather prevailed in the West, mainly north of a line from central California to the central Rockies, boosting topsoil moisture, delivering high-elevation snow, and reducing irrigation demands. However, any precipitation did not fundamentally change a mostly bleak Western water-supply outlook for the remainder of the spring into the summer of 2026.

Northeast

With a cool, mostly dry pattern in place, many areas experienced status quo or slowly worsening conditions. Notably, abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1) expanded across southern New England and neighboring areas. An exception to the worsening conditions included parts of northern and eastern Maine, where improving groundwater led to a change from D1 to D0.

Southeast

In recent weeks, the Southeast has become “ground zero” for some of the worst drought in the country. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, statewide topsoil moisture in agriculture regions was rated 97% very short to short on April 26 in Georgia and South Carolina. On the same date, topsoil moisture was 88% very short to short in Virginia, along with 81% in North Carolina. Wildfires continued to burn in various parts of the Southeast, with the two largest having collectively burned more than 50,000 acres of vegetation in southern Georgia. Notably, the destructive Highway 82 fire in Brantley County, Georgia, has not only scorched more than 22,000 acres, but has also destroyed more than 100 homes. Broad drought deterioration was observed again this week in the Southeast, including further expansion of all categories, including extreme to exceptional drought (D3 to D4).

South

Late in the drought-monitoring period, significant rain overspread portions of the South, resulting in broad reductions in drought intensity. Some of the heaviest rain fell from eastern sections of Oklahoma and Texas into portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, and northern Louisiana. Still, more rain will be needed to ensure full drought recovery, since many of the hardest-hit areas had slipped into extreme to exceptional drought (D3 to D4) in recent weeks. Meanwhile, western sections of the South—including western Oklahoma and western Texas—remained critically dry, leading to poor rangeland, pasture, and winter wheat conditions, as well as a chronically elevated wildfire threat. Statewide, winter wheat in Texas was rated 56% very poor to poor on April 26, along with 45% in Oklahoma.

Midwest

Heavy precipitation in western and southern sections of the region led to further reductions in drought coverage. In fact, portions of the Great Lakes States have turned quite wet in recent weeks, with statewide topsoil moisture in agricultural regions rated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as 48% surplus on April 26 in Wisconsin, along with 42% in Michigan. The 5-year average planting pace for sugarbeets in Michigan by April 26 is 51%, but due to this year’s wetness, only 3% of the crop had been planted this year on that date.

High Plains

Precipitation delivered drought relief to some areas, including parts of southern South Dakota and eastern sections of Nebraska and Kansas. Still, by April 26, topsoil moisture—as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture—was rated at least 40% very short to short in all the region’s states, except North Dakota, and led by Colorado (95%). Winter wheat continued to struggle due to drought and recent freezes, with 65% of Nebraska’s crop rated in very poor to poor condition on April 26, along with 54% in Colorado and 41% in Kansas. Drought continued to generally worsen in eastern Colorado and western sections of Kansas and Nebraska.

West

Any changes in the West were mostly minor and mixed, as cooler weather prevailed and spotty precipitation occurred. In most areas, Western precipitation did not alter bleak water-supply prospects, since most of the mountain snowpack has already melted, except in the northern Rockies. Already in late April, fears of an hydroelectricity generation crisis in the Colorado River Basin have led the Department of Interior to start sending water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir downstream to Lake Powell to help boost water levels. The Department of Interior also indicated that water normally destined for Lake Mead, farther downstream, would be held in Lake Powell. Despite overall lack of impact on Western supplies, any precipitation was largely welcomed, due to positive impacts such as a boost in topsoil moisture and a reduction in irrigation demands. In fact, enough precipitation has recently fallen to warrant a slight reduction in drought intensity in a few areas, including parts of western Colorado, northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington.

Caribbean

In Puerto Rico, neither dryness nor drought was observed anywhere across the commonwealth for a sixth consecutive week.

Each of the islands remains free of drought and dryness this week. CoCoRaHS stations across St. Croix Island recorded anywhere from 0.11” to 1.02” this week. St. John Island recorded anywhere between 0.37” and 0.66” of rain this week. The Windswept Beach station recorded 0.63” of rain this week. St. Thomas Island had received 0.41” of rain this week from CoCoRaHS stations. The Adventure 28 Well recorded water depth of 20.54 ft. as of this week. This is 0.04 ft. lower compared to last week and 3.36 ft. lower compared to last year. The Susannaberg DPW 3 Well recorded a water depth of 13.2 ft. as of this week. This is 0.11 ft. lower compared to last week and 3.43 ft. lower compared to last year. The Grade School 3 Well has a water depth of 5.92 ft. as of this week. This is 2.48 ft. lower than last week and 1.07 ft. lower compared to last year.

Pacific

In Alaska, two areas of abnormal dryness (D0) remained intact. However, the northwestern edge of Alaska’s southern D0 area was slightly trimmed amid widespread precipitation.

In Hawaii, there was some further reduction in the Big Island’s coverage of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1), as drought-related impacts continued to wane in the wake of an extremely stormy spell in March and early April.

Rain was plentiful across the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The islands of Jaluit, Mili, and Utirik received adequate rainfall, receiving 3.76”, 5.05” and 2.28” of rain this week. Other places, such as Ailingalapalap, Kwajalein, Majuro and Wotje received 1.34”, 1.28”, 1.71”, and 1.6” respectively. Nevertheless, each island remains free of drought and dryness.

Abnormal dryness has expanded to several islands across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Ulithi and Yap will be receiving 1-category degradation to abnormal dryness. A combination of inadequate precipitation and dry grasses contributed to the degradation. Both Ulithi and Yap received 1.13” and 1.5” of rain this week, respectively. Woleai remains free of drought and dryness, but given that it received 0.61” of rain, this island might receive a 1-category degradation should inadequate rainfall continue next week. Lukunor remains in abnormal dryness, receiving only 0.09” of rain this week. Other islands in the FSM received plentiful rain. Kapingamarangi, Kosrae and Nukuoro received 3.71”, 7.8” and 2.85” of rain this week. Chuuk Lagoon received 1.24” of rain this week but will remain free of drought and dryness this week.

The Republic of Palau will receive a 1-category degradation to abnormal dryness. Monthly precipitation totals across the island are at the lowest recorded for the month of April. Koror has received 0.36” of rain this week and has received 1.73” for the month. Additionally, the WSO in Palau received 0.3” of rain this week and has received 1.15” of rain for the month.

The Marianas Islands continue to experience the impacts of the typhoon that passed in the middle of the month. Due to this, precipitation measurements are either missing or low and may have exposure issues. Due to this, each of the islands will maintain last week’s categories and will remain free of drought and dryness. American Samoa experienced a dry week, with Pago Pago receiving 0.77” of rain. Additionally, the Siufaga and Toa Ridge received 0.97” and 0.43” of rain this week, respectively. American Samoa will remain free of drought and dryness.

Looking Ahead

During the next several days, active weather across the South should lead to 1- to 4-inch rainfall totals from much of Texas to the southern Atlantic States. However, some Southern thunderstorms may produce large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. The moisture will have a sharp northern edge, with little or no precipitation expected during the next 5 days across the northern and central Plains and Midwest. Generally dry weather will also cover the West, aside from late-season snow in the central and southern Rockies. Elsewhere, a cool pattern across the nation’s mid-section will strengthen, with frost and freezes possible into the weekend across the northwestern half of the Plains into the upper Midwest. By Saturday morning, scattered frost could extend as far south as the Ohio Valley and the southern High Plains.

The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for May 5 – 9 calls for the likelihood of cooler-than-normal conditions in most areas east of the Rockies, while warmer-than-normal weather will be confined to an area stretching from the Pacific Coast to the northern Rockies, including the Great Basin and northern Intermountain West. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation from the Pacific Northwest into the upper Midwest should contrast with the likelihood of wetter-than-normal conditions across the remainder of the Lower 48 States.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (4/28)

2026-04-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 25% Planted, Soybeans 23% Planted, Winter Wheat Rated 30% Good to Excellent as of April 26

2026-04-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- U.S. corn planting moved slightly ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average last week, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Winter wheat conditions remained unchanged from the previous week at 30% good to excellent, NASS reported.

CORN

-- Planting progress: 25% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, 3 points ahead of last year's 22% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 19%. "Tennessee, Texas and Kentucky are leading the pack at 80%, 71% and 69% planted, while major states Iowa and Illinois are 22% and 29% planted," said DTN Senior Analyst Dana Mantini.

-- Crop development: 7% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of last year's 5% and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 4%.

SOYBEANS

-- Planting progress: An estimated 23% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 6 points ahead of last year at this time and 11 points ahead of the five-year average of 12%. Louisiana and Mississippi are the fastest along, with planting at 77% and 66%, respectively, while Iowa stands at just 11% planted and Illinois is at 36% compared to its 18% average, Mantini said.

-- Crop development: 8% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 6 points ahead of last year and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 1%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Crop condition: An estimated 35% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of April 26, up 16 percentage points from 19% a year ago, according to NASS.

-- Crop development: 34% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 9 percentage points ahead of last year's 25% and 13 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 21%. Top winter-wheat-producer Kansas' crop was 43% headed, 26 points ahead of last year at this time and 32 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Planting progress: 19% of the crop was planted nationwide as of April 26, 9 percentage points behind last year's pace of 28% and 3 percentage points behind the five-year average of 22%. Minnesota is only 6% planted, well behind the 16% average, while South Dakota is slightly below average at 48% complete, and Washington and Idaho are the furthest along at 76% and 66%, respectively, Mantini said.

-- Crop development: 5% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, equal to last year and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 4%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

An active weather pattern will bring heavy precipitation, severe weather threats and a push of cold air that could impact planting progress and crop conditions, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"This is going to be a very busy week for weather, which may mean slower planting progress, but should improve soil moisture for more of the country, leading to better crop conditions," Baranick said.

"We had a system moving through the Plains on Sunday, which is now going through the Midwest on Monday. Along with producing heavy rain, we've got a major severe weather outbreak expected for Missouri, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Another system will move along that system's cold front for Tuesday and Wednesday from Oklahoma and northern Texas up through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. That should get some needed rain into some very dry areas of the Mid-South, too. Severe weather will be possible again, but is not forecast to be as significant as Monday's severe threat. That system's cold front will push even farther south, with scattered showers for Wednesday and Thursday from Texas along the Gulf Coast. Another system will move into Texas on Friday, with widespread precipitation for dry areas in the southwestern Plains, and more showers and thunderstorms eastward along the Gulf Coast for the weekend. Some areas will pick up more than three inches of rain, which happens to be over a lot of the drought areas in the Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Flooding may be an issue, but the rainfall will be welcomed by a lot of producers.

"The biggest problem will be with temperatures. As the storm track pushes south, cold air from the Canadian Prairies and Northern Plains will spread south. Depending on cloud cover and winds, frosts will be possible for portions of the Central Plains and Great Lakes. For winter crops that are more advanced, or for soybeans that have emerged, there could be some damage."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	25	11	22	19
Corn Emerged	7	4	5	4
Soybeans Planted	23	12	17	12
Soybeans Emerged	8	NA	2	1
Winter Wheat Headed	34	20	25	21
Spring Wheat Planted	19	12	28	22
Spring Wheat Emerged	5	2	5	4
Cotton Planted	16	11	14	13
Sorghum Planted	20	15	20	19
Oats Planted	53	44	60	53
Oats Emerged	34	27	36	35
Barley Planted	34	24	35	29
Barley Emerged	11	6	8	6
Rice Planted	69	56	62	53
Rice Emerged	49	34	40	33
Sugarbeets Planted	15	12	49	37
Peanuts Planted	7	4	7	6



National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	This Week					Last Week					Last Year
	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wheat	13	22	35	25	5	12	21	37	25	5	5	14	32	40	9

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (4/27)

2026-04-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 74 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	1057265 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (4/23)

2026-04-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

The week was highlighted by a band of above-normal precipitation extending from south Texas into eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and southern Wisconsin. Many areas in this swath received greater than 150% of normal precipitation, with some locations exceeding 400% for the week. From the Ohio Valley south into the Southeast, conditions remained quite dry, with little to no precipitation recorded across most of the region.

The West was also largely dry, with only coastal areas of California and parts of the Pacific Northwest recording above-normal precipitation. Northern portions of the Northeast received rain, with areas from western New York into Maine recording 200% or more of normal precipitation.

Temperatures were near normal to slightly below normal across the West, with departures of up to 5°F below normal in some areas. Portions of the central Plains, Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic experienced above-normal temperatures, with departures of 5–10°F above normal. Temperatures in the Southeast were near to slightly above normal, with cooler conditions in the Florida Panhandle.

Northeast

Temperatures were warmer than normal across nearly the entire region, except for far northern Maine. Most areas were 4–8°F above normal for the week. Rainfall occurred but was largely confined to northern areas, from western Pennsylvania and New York through northern Vermont and New Hampshire into Maine, where many locations recorded 150% or more of normal precipitation.

This wetter pattern led to improvements in abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions across northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Severe drought was removed in northern and reduced in southern Maine.

In southern portions of the region, moderate drought expanded across northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Severe drought intensified in southeastern Pennsylvania and eastern Maryland as dry conditions persisted. In Virginia, severe drought expanded in southern and western areas, with extreme drought developing along the southern border with North Carolina. Most of West Virginia experienced degradation, with nearly the entire state now in moderate to severe drought.

Southeast

It was a very dry week, with only parts of northern Alabama, western Virginia, and North Carolina recording precipitation. Temperatures were near to slightly above normal in southern areas, while northern areas were 5°F or more above normal. Portions of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were slightly below normal.

With strong drought signals across short- to mid-term timescales—and in some cases longer—drought expanded and intensified. In the Carolinas, severe and extreme drought expanded across western areas, and along southern North Carolina into northern South Carolina.

Moderate to extreme drought expanded across western and southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Exceptional drought expanded in southern Georgia and northern Florida as impacts became more widespread, especially in agriculture.

Most of Alabama experienced a full category of degradation, except for northern and southeastern areas. The entire state is now experiencing some level of drought, with extreme drought covering much of the south.

Midwest

Temperatures were mostly above normal, with departures of 5–10°F across much of the region. The upper Midwest, particularly far northern Minnesota, saw near- to slightly below-normal temperatures.

Precipitation varied widely. Southern Wisconsin and Michigan received over 300% of normal rainfall. Southern Indiana, central and southern Ohio, Kentucky, northwest Iowa, northern Wisconsin, and much of Minnesota were drier.

Improvement occurred in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois due to recent rainfall, easing moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions. Southern Iowa also saw improvements. Southern Missouri received needed precipitation, though improvements were limited due to persistent long-term dryness.

Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin saw improvements in abnormally dry to severe drought conditions, though long-term drought signals remain.

Degradation occurred in southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, where abnormally dry and moderate drought expanded. Kentucky experienced further degradation, with the entire state now in drought. Moderate and severe drought expanded across western and central areas. The period from November 2025 through March 2026 ranks as the fifth-driest five-month period on record for Kentucky’s western climatic division. Southwestern Minnesota also saw slight expansion of moderate to severe drought.

High Plains

The region was mostly dry, with isolated rainfall in far southeast Nebraska, northern and southeast Kansas, and small areas of Colorado and North Dakota. Temperatures were generally above normal, with the warmest departures in southeast Nebraska and eastern Kansas.

Dryness and a warm spring led to widespread degradation. Extreme drought expanded across central and western Nebraska and into northwest Kansas. Severe drought expanded in central and southwest Kansas, with new extreme drought in far southwest Kansas.

Degradation continued across the plains of Wyoming and Colorado, with expansion of moderate to extreme drought. Extreme drought was also introduced in southern South Dakota.

Some improvements occurred in southeast Kansas, where moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions were reduced due to recent rainfall.

South

Temperatures were above normal across northern and eastern areas, with departures of 2–6°F. Across Texas, temperatures transitioned to below normal in southern and western areas, with departures of 2–6°F below normal.

The heaviest rainfall occurred from central to southern Texas into central and eastern Oklahoma, where totals reached 150–400% of normal. Elsewhere, conditions were mostly dry, including the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, and much of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Where rainfall was sufficient in Texas and Oklahoma, drought conditions improved or were removed. However, drought intensified across Mississippi, where nearly the entire state experienced a full category of degradation and is now 100% in drought.

Extreme drought expanded in eastern Arkansas and northern and southern Louisiana, with moderate drought increasing in southern Louisiana. Severe and extreme drought expanded across western Tennessee, while moderate drought increased in the east. Tennessee is now also fully in drought.

West

Precipitation was mixed. Parts of central to northern California, western Oregon and Washington, much of Idaho, and isolated areas in Montana, Utah, and Colorado recorded above-normal precipitation. However, most of the region remained drier than normal.

Temperatures were generally cooler than normal, with northern Nevada experiencing departures of up to 6°F below normal. Southern California and Arizona saw the warmest conditions, with temperatures up to 6°F above normal.

Drought conditions worsened across much of Nevada, with expansion of abnormal dryness to severe drought. Severe drought expanded into northwest Utah, while moderate to severe drought increased in western and southern Arizona. Severe drought also expanded in western Wyoming, and extreme drought was introduced in southwestern Montana.

Oregon and Washington saw slight expansion of abnormally dry to moderate drought, with a small increase in severe drought in southwest Oregon. Southern California also experienced expansion of abnormally dry conditions.

Impacts are becoming more evident as snowpack has largely melted, and early runoff may contribute to future water supply issues.

Caribbean

No changes were made in Puerto Rico. The San Juan area is beginning to show drying signals, though recent rainfall has maintained overall wet conditions.

Early in the drought week (Wed, Apr 15 – Tue, Apr 21), a mid to upper-level trough and a surface high pressure system over the North Atlantic served as the dominant features across the region. Their interaction promoted a moist, unstable, and breezy pattern, with localized showers and thunderstorms. For the latter part of the period, a drier and more stable pattern prevailed.

On St. Croix, precipitation amounts for the week ranged from 0.33-inch at Rohlsen Airport to 1.70 inches at VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW, 1 day missing). Intermediate rainfall values in ascending order are: 0.80-inch at East Hill, 0.81-inch at VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), 0.93-inch at VI-SC-29 (Frederiksted 2.5 NNE, 2 days missing), 0.94-inch at VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9 NE), 0.97-inch at VI-SC-24 (Christiansted 2.1 ENE, 2 days missing), 1.01 inches at VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE, 1 day missing), 1.22 inches at VI-SC-32 (2 days missing), 1.24 inches at VI-SC-25 (Christiansted 4.4 W, 2 days missing), 1.29 inches at VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E), and 1.69 inches VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W, 1 day missing). There was one station that reported only 0.16-inch of precipitation, but had 5 days missing so was not included in the list (VI-SC-9 (Christiansted 4.1 ESE)). In terms of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), East Hill’s 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month values are, respectively: 0.78, 1.49, -0.2, 0.27, and -0.16, while Rohlsen reported 1- and 3-month SPI values of 0.21 and -1.1, respectively. The Adventure 28 Well started around 20.75 feet below the land surface, rose slowly over time and ended near 20.49 feet.

For St. John’s, rainfall measurements for the drought week included 0.42-inch at VI-SJ-10 (Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW) and 1.32 inches of rain at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E). The heaviest rain fell at VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach), with 1.59 inches measured. Thus far in April, 3.43 inches of rain have fallen, and 2.25 inches accumulated during March. An observer notes “a fairly wet April…well over our average. Everything is greening up”. SPI values for 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months are 1.39, 1.66, -0.15, 0.6, and 0.19 this week. East End did not report. The Susannaberg Dpw 3 Well level started near 13.13 feet and remained fairly steady before rising, then fell fairly quickly back down to very near its starting point at 13.12 feet late in the period.

In St. Thomas, precipitation amounts ranged from 0.27-inch at VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N) to 0.61-inch at VI-ST-13 (Charlotte Amalie 1.2 NNW). Cyril King Airport came in with 0.29-inch of rain this past drought week, with SPI 1-, 3-, and 6-month values of 0.48, 0.83, and -0.75, respectively. The Grade School 3 Wellwater level started near 4.55 feet, followed by a slight rise. Very late on April 19th, the water level spiked at 4.15 ft, then peaked at 4.12 and then dropped back down to 4.45 feet at the end of the week.

Due to SPI values, precipitation received, and the fact that we are in the early stages of the rainy season, all islands remain at D-nada.

Pacific

In Alaska, abnormally dry areas were reduced following recent precipitation.

No changes were made in Hawaii.

During the drought week of Wed, Apr 15 – Tue, Apr 21, the dominant weather feature was the first typhoon and later super-typhoon of the northern West Pacific tropical cyclone season, Sinlaku. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and Chuuk State were the primary places impacted by this storm. Sinlaku achieved super-typhoon status on April 12th. Preliminary reports (which still requires verification) suggests 1-minute maximum sustained wind speeds associated with this tempest reached 160 knots, with the central pressure falling to 890-hPa. Shortly thereafter, Sinlaku “weakened” to a category-4-equivalent typhoon due to a long-lasting Eyewall Replacement Cycle, losing its super-typhoon status. Nevertheless, this very powerful typhoon made landfall on the northern side of Tinian, with Saipan being located within the now much larger new eye. The slow forward motion of the typhoon only compounded the devastation with very heavy rainfall and resultant flash flooding, an extended period of very damaging winds, electrical power outages, and storm surge. With the power outages came the inability to use cooling units, and residents were at the mercy of the very warm temperatures. Humanitarian needs for immediate relief and long-term recovery are rapidly expanding, with residents requiring access to fresh water, food staples, hygiene products, and fuel. Please refer to this article by the Salvation Army for more details (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/stories/typhoon-sinlaku-disaster-response/). For the Republic of Palau, and the western and central Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), much drier conditions were experienced this week as drier air was pulled into these areas on the south side of Sinlaku as it moved away to the northwest and north. For these areas, marine and surf conditions were the main concern during this week. Across the eastern FSM and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), a broadly unsettled pattern was in place for much of this drought week, with numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. This was related to a fragment of the ITCZ interacting with a trade-wind trough. As Sinlaku slowly receded from the CNMI, the ITCZ fragment was able to move westward, bringing some showers to Kosrae and Chuuk. Over the South Pacific, a shortwave trough approached the Samoa Islands from the north-northeast. Some showers and a brief period of thunderstorm activity was noted, followed by improving conditions. A surface high pressure system anchoring southeast of the region generated moderate easterly winds with embedded showers through midweek.

Satellite-based QPE (thru 12z 4/20): To the north of the equator, a large elongated region of heavy precipitation was centered over the CNMI associated with Sinlaku with widespread 2-4 inch totals (locally 4-8 inches). Hardly any precipitation was observed over Palau, and western and central portions of the FSM. Shower activity resulted primarily in amounts between 0.5-inch and 2-inches across the RMI south and east of Kwajalein. South of the Equator, American Samoa received light to moderate precipitation during the week, with amounts generally less than three-quarters of an inch.

Looking Ahead

Over the next 5–7 days, the highest precipitation chances are expected from the central Plains into the South, Midwest and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies may also see widespread precipitation.

Temperatures are expected to be above normal across the southern Plains, South and Southeast, with departures of 9–11°F in north Texas and Oklahoma and 5–7°F elsewhere. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are forecast for the northern Plains, northern Rockies, and California, with departures of 9–12°F below normal in North Dakota and Montana and 6–9°F below normal in California.

The 6–10 day outlook shows the highest chances for cooler-than-normal temperatures across the Plains and Midwest, with the greatest potential over the High Plains and upper Midwest. The best chances for above-normal temperatures are in the Pacific Northwest and along the southern Gulf Coast. The greatest likelihood of above-normal precipitation is across much of the central and southern United States, with the highest chances in the Southwest. Meanwhile, the northern United States along the Canadian border is expected to have the best chances for below-normal precipitation.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (4/21)

2026-04-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 11% Planted, Soybeans 12% Planted, Winter Wheat Rated 30% Good to Excellent as of April 19

2026-04-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- The winter wheat crop's good-to-excellent condition rating continued to decline last week, falling 4 percentage points nationwide amid building drought, limited rainfall, frosts and freezes, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

A familiar weather pattern is setting up again this week, with another round of showers and thunderstorms expected along a front stretching from Texas to the Great Lakes, while colder air and even some snow will push through the Northern Plains and Canadian Prairies, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

CORN

-- Planting progress: 11% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, equal to last year and ahead of the five-year average of 9%. Tennessee was the furthest ahead of average at 64% complete as of Sunday, 40 points ahead of its average pace of 24%. That was followed by Kentucky at 48%, 30 points ahead of the average pace of 18%. Illinois and Indiana were both ahead of their averages at 13% and 14% planted, respectively.

-- Crop development: 4% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of last year and the five-year average of 2%.

SOYBEANS

-- Planting progress: An estimated 12% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 5 points ahead of last year at this time and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 7%. Illinois' soybeans are 20% planted, 11 points ahead of last year and 13 points ahead of the five-year average of 7%. Indiana was also ahead of average at 19% planted, 16 points ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Crop condition: An estimated 33% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of April 19, up 12 percentage points from 21% a year ago, according to NASS.

-- Crop development: 20% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 14% and 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 12%. Top winter-wheat-producer Kansas' crop was 15% headed, 10 points ahead of last year at this time and 13 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Planting progress: 12% of the crop was planted nationwide as of April 19, 4 percentage points behind last year's pace of 16% but equal to the five-year average. Washington was the furthest ahead of the average at 65% planted as of Sunday, 12 points ahead of its average pace of 53%.

-- Crop development: 2% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, equal to last year and the five-year average.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Another round of active weather is on the way this week, bringing showers and thunderstorms from central and eastern Texas into the Great Lakes, while colder temperatures and even some snowfall return to northern areas, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"The same corridor that has been getting the rainfall, from central and eastern Texas up through the Great Lakes looks like it will get another round of showers and thunderstorms along a front passing through on Thursday into Friday," Baranick said. "These areas may have had some damage due to severe weather over the last week and could get some more later this week as well. The main system pushing that cold front will move through the Northern Plains and Canadian Prairies with a mix of rain and snow. Some areas in Montana, the Dakotas, but especially the Canadian Prairies could see some heavy snowfall. That will continue to support colder temperatures across the north moving back in later this week and possibly spreading through the Plains and into the Upper Midwest as well.

"Hard red winter wheat took a beating from frosts and freezes this weekend, adding to the stress from the building drought and limited rainfall over the last several months. This week, it looks like most of those areas will be bypassed again. If there is any good news, there is at least a chance for precipitation to move in with a system on Sunday. The current track has the system moving through the Central Plains with good precipitation on the north side of it in Nebraska. The Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles are not currently expected to see much precipitation, though. That system will bring down some of the cold air from the north and could mean another round of frosts, further hurting wheat.

"In the Delta and Southeast, a front that went through this past weekend brought some waning showers, but many areas in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida missed out completely. Drier conditions this week will again be concerning for the building drought for cotton, peanuts, and other crops. The front that moves through the Corn Belt later this week will move through the region and may have a tendency to stall. We could see some pockets of heavier rain, but it's not guaranteed. Overall, the prospects are still looking poor in this part of the country."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn Planted	11	5	11	9
Corn Emerged	4	NA	2	2
Soybeans Planted	12	6	7	5
Winter Wheat Headed	20	11	14	12
Spring Wheat Planted	12	6	16	12
Spring Wheat Emerged	2	NA	2	2
Cotton Planted	11	7	10	10
Sorghum Planted	15	13	17	16
Oats Planted	44	36	51	45
Oats Emerged	27	24	30	30
Barley Planted	24	13	24	20
Barley Emerged	6	NA	3	2
Rice Planted	56	42	46	40
Rice Emerged	34	23	27	22
Sugarbeets Planted	12	9	20	18
Peanuts Planted	4	1	3	2



National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	This Week					Last Week					Last Year
	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E	VP	P	F	G	E
Winter Wheat	12	21	37	25	5	12	20	34	29	5	6	15	34	38	7

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (4/20)

2026-04-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.

Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 76 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	980729 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (4/16)

2026-04-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Much of the country continued to experience above-normal temperatures in April. During the last week, the warmest temperatures were over the southern Midwest and into the central Plains, where departures were 9°F or greater. California and portions of the Southeast into the Mid-Atlantic were near normal to slightly below normal. Dryness has continued in the Southeast, portions of the South, the Northeast, and much of the High Plains. The greatest precipitation occurred in the Great Basin, northern California, central and west Texas, northeast Kansas, and across much of Michigan and Wisconsin, where spring thunderstorms developed within an active weather pattern, mainly over the Midwest.

Northeast

Temperatures were mixed across the region this week. Western areas were 2–4 degrees above normal, with some pockets of greater departures in New York and Pennsylvania. Coastal areas were near normal to slightly below normal. Northern New England was the wettest part of the region, with portions of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine recording 100–150% of normal precipitation for the week. Farther south, precipitation decreased, with mostly dry conditions in southern New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Moderate drought expanded across most of southern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware. In Virginia, moderate and severe drought expanded, with severe drought pushing north into southern Maryland. In West Virginia, abnormally dry conditions expanded across much of the state, while moderate drought expanded across southern and eastern areas. In northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and far northwest Maine—areas that received the most precipitation—abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions improved. Similar improvements were observed in far eastern Massachusetts.

Southeast

Much of the region was near normal to slightly below normal for temperatures this week. The western portion was the exception, with temperatures 3–6 degrees above normal. The coolest readings were along Florida’s Atlantic coast, where several rain events helped reduce temperatures. Outside of Florida, the region remained dry, with most areas recording little to no precipitation this week.

Coastal eastern Florida and much of southern Florida recorded above-normal precipitation, with some localized areas exceeding 6 inches. Continued dryness across the region led to widespread degradation in drought conditions. Nearly the entire state of Alabama experienced a one-category worsening, with extreme drought spreading across the southeast and severe drought affecting much of the state.

In Georgia, exceptional drought expanded eastward, while extreme drought in northern areas shifted slightly south. Across the Carolinas, severe drought spread across much of eastern South Carolina, with extreme drought expanding in the far southeast. Extreme drought also expanded along the North Carolina–South Carolina border and in western and northeastern North Carolina. Florida received enough rainfall to prevent degradation this week, despite below-normal precipitation in some areas. Improvements were observed along the Atlantic coast and in parts of central Florida.

Midwest

An active weather pattern brought significant rainfall to many areas, while locations outside the storm track remained mostly dry. Areas from western Missouri into southern Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northern Michigan recorded 200–400% of normal precipitation for the week. In contrast, areas from southeast Missouri to central Illinois and into Ohio and Kentucky received less than 25% of normal precipitation. Northern Iowa and northern Minnesota were also drier than normal.

Temperatures were above normal across most of the region, with only northern Michigan and Minnesota near or slightly below normal. Parts of Illinois, Missouri, and western Indiana were 9–12 degrees above normal. Dry and warm conditions allowed abnormally dry conditions to expand across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Moderate drought expanded across much of eastern and northern Kentucky, while extreme drought expanded over the “bootheel” of Missouri and into far western Kentucky.

In northern Missouri, eastern Illinois, and southern and western Iowa, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions improved this week, supported by short-term indicators.

High Plains

Temperatures were mostly above normal, with only eastern North Dakota and northeast South Dakota near or below normal. The greatest departures occurred in central Kansas, where temperatures were 12–15 degrees above normal. Above-normal precipitation was observed in southwest and northern North Dakota.

Kansas experienced the most active weather, with southwest and eastern areas of the state and southeast Nebraska recording above-normal precipitation. Some areas of northeast Kansas received more than 400% of normal precipitation. These rains led to improvements in abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions across southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. Some areas of eastern Nebraska and south-central Kansas also saw improvements.

Extreme drought expanded across southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas, while severe drought expanded across southwest Kansas. The plains of eastern Colorado experienced nearly a full-category degradation, with expansion of moderate, severe, and extreme drought.

South

Precipitation was mixed across the region. Oklahoma and much of central and western Texas received more than 150% of normal precipitation. Farther east, eastern Arkansas and Louisiana saw light precipitation, while areas farther west and into Tennessee remained mostly dry.

Temperatures were above normal across much of the region, with only southern Texas, southern Louisiana, and eastern Mississippi near or below normal. The greatest departures occurred in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, where temperatures were 12–15 degrees above normal.

Drought expanded and intensified across much of Tennessee, with moderate and severe drought expanding statewide and a new area of extreme drought developing in the northwest. In Mississippi, moderate and severe drought expanded across eastern and southern areas, with extreme drought expanding in the northwest. Arkansas remained dry, with extreme and exceptional drought expanding in both northern and southern areas.

Louisiana saw expansion of extreme drought across much of the south, as well as central and northern areas. Moderate and severe drought also expanded across southern portions of the state. Oklahoma remained largely unchanged, with only minor expansion of severe drought in the panhandle.

The most significant improvements occurred in Texas, where much of central, southern, and southeastern portions of the state saw a full-category improvement in drought conditions. However, severe drought expanded in parts of the panhandle.

West

Warmer-than-normal temperatures dominated the region this past week. Departures were 6–8 degrees above normal across most of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Only the Sierra Nevada area and northern California were near to slightly below normal.

Precipitation was mixed, with parts of northern California, northern Nevada, eastern Oregon, southern Utah, eastern and western New Mexico, southwest Idaho, and eastern Washington receiving above-normal precipitation.

The lack of snowpack will continue to impact the region in the coming months. Earlier-than-normal snowmelt, below-normal seasonal totals, and increased liquid precipitation are contributing to hydrological impacts.

Changes this week included improvements in moderate drought in northeastern California and expansion of moderate and severe drought in southern Arizona. Southern Idaho into northern Nevada saw expansion of severe, extreme, and exceptional drought, while severe drought expanded across eastern and northern New Mexico.

Caribbean

No changes occurred in Puerto Rico this week.

Until the end of the period, it had been a relatively dry week across the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a few tenths of an inch of rain falling on most locations. Some locations may have been teetering on the brink of short-term dryness, but moderate to heavy rain fell on most of the region late in the week. Most locations reported 1.0 to 2.5 inches of rain in the last 24-48 hours, although parts of St. Croix received a little less than an inch. Still, these amounts pushed April to date totals to near or above normal, and with no antecedent dryness noted, this is enough to preclude any dryness or drought designation at this time.

Pacific

No changes occurred in Alaska this week.

Hawaii, recent wetter conditions allowed for additional reduction of abnormally dry conditions in central areas of the Big Island.

Heavy to excessive precipitation during the past few months was exacerbated by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which tracked slowly across the Marianas into April 15. The center moved across the northern Marianas near Saipan, but wind gusts topped hurricane force throughout the island chain. Saipan reported wind gusts reaching 130 mph while Guam – well south of the center – recorded an 87 mph wind gust. Rainfall was intense, especially across the southern reaches of the island near Guam, which reported amounts of over one foot through mid-afternoon April 15. Saipan reported 5.73 inches through April 14, with the storm in progress. These amounts pushed March 1 – April 15 totals to near or above the record for the period. Guam recorded 28.46 inches during these 1.5 months (the normal is 4.36 inches) and Saipan measured 20.59 inches (normal 3.15 inches). Saipan reported 41.46 inches for the year to date (normal 9.30 inches) and Guam has received over 50 inches of rain since December 2025 (normal under 20 inches). It may go without saying that no dryness or drought is noted anywhere across the Marianas, and there is little chance of any developing in the near future.

In Palau, April is off to a dry start, with April 1-13 totals at Koror totaling just over one-half inch (two days of reports were missing). The prior couple of months, however, were at least somewhat wetter than normal, with February bringing almost 11 inches and March bringing slightly more. These amounts were more than sufficient to keep up with water demand, so no dryness or drought is indicated this week, but the situation will need to be monitored if April continues to be very dry.

April is also off to a very dry start in western sections of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Less than one-half inch fell on Yap through the 13th (just 15 percent of normal) and under 0.9 inch was recorded in Ulithi (under 40 percent of normal). However, the first three months of the year were near or wetter than normal, so no impactful dryness or drought is noted at this time. Yap reported over 10.5 inches of rain in January (145 percent of normal), followed by 6.71 inches in February (112 percent of normal) and 6.92 inches in March (over 130 percent of normal).

In the central FSM from Chuuk southward to Kapingamaringi, Lukunor remains abnormally dry this week (D0) while no dryness or drought is noted elsewhere. Lukunor recorded 60 to 75 percent of normal for each of the first three months of 2026, and so far this April, 3.58 inches has been reported, or just under 70 percent of normal. Year-to-date, Lukunor reports 22.37 inches of rain, compared to the normal around 34.6 inches, which supports the D0 designation. This is slightly less than necessary to keep up with demand over the long-term, although serious water shortages have not been reported to date (also, several days of data are missing). To the south, Nukuoro and Kapingamaringi have reported under half of normal rainfall so far this April (3.56 and 2.48 inches, respectively). However, Kapingamaringi recorded more than enough rainfall to keep up with demand during the first 3 months of the year (over 28 inches). In Nukuoro, March (8.49 inches) was considerably drier than normal, but wet enough to keep up with demand. This followed almost 20 inches of rain in February, so no dryness or drought designations are posted for these two locations. North of Lukunor, it has been much wetter at Chuuk, where no drought or dryness designation exists. April totals to date are approaching 14 inches (more than twice normal), and this follows near 11 inches or more each of the three prior months in 2026.

Pohnpei is the only location reliably reporting precipitation recently, and April there has been exceedingly wet. Almost 14 inches of rain fell during the week, bringing month-to-date totals to nearly 25 inches no even halfway through the month. As a result, no dryness or drought designation is assessed, and none is anticipated in the near future.

The northeastern Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was the only area across the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) reporting drought last week (April 6). Utirik was in severe drought (D2) while moderate drought (D1) was posted at Wotje. However, rainfall has increased dramatically since late March, and this trend continued through the past week. During March 22 – April 13 at Utirik, 16.70 inches of rain was reported, including 8.27 inches during the last half of this past week. Wotje recorded lesser amounts (7.57 inches) since March 20, which included almost 3 inches this past week. These amounts have dramatically improved conditions over the past three weeks, and both locations are designated as abnormally dry (D0) this week. This represents a 2-category improvement at Utirik. To the west, Kwajalein has received more consistent rainfall over the past few months, and no dryness or drought is impacting the region at this time. Just under 2.5 inches last week brought April-to-date totals to near 4.9 inches and year-to-date amounts to over 23.5 inches, the latter amount considerably more than the normal of about 16.5 inches for the period.

Farther south, the central and southern RMI (Ailinglapalap, Jaluit, Majuro, and Mili) is free from dryness and drought. Last week, rainfall totals ranged from 1.23 inches at Ailinglapalap to 2.38 inches at Mili. April totals to date are near or above normal across Ailinglapalap (3.97 inches, 136 percent of normal) and Majuro (4.86 inches, 116 percent of normal), and amounts over the past 30 days exceeded 18 inches in Mili. This followed robust February – March rainfall at Ailinglapalap (27.85 inches, about 2.5 times normal) and near-normal rainfall during January – March at Majuro. Jaluit was the only site reporting subnormal April rainfall to date (2.71 inches, 57 percent of normal) after near-normal amounts last week. But this followed February – March totals exceeding 20 inches.

So far this year, American Samoa has seen alternating dry and wet periods. Currently no dryness or drought designation is supported, but April to date has been quite dry (1.9 inches, under 40 percent of normal) and February amounts were also unfavorably low (5.1 inches, about 40 percent of normal). In between, however, March brought near normal amounts just shy of one foot, and earlier in the year, January brought nearly 28 inches of rain (almost twice normal).

Looking Ahead

Over the next 5–7 days, precipitation is expected to be most prominent across the southern Plains, Midwest, and Northeast. The heaviest precipitation is likely from eastern Kansas into Missouri and northward into eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and the Great Lakes.

Additional precipitation is expected from the Pacific Northwest into the northern Rockies and High Plains. Dryness is likely to persist across much of the Southwest and Southeast.

Temperatures are expected to be above normal from the northern Rockies into the High Plains, with the greatest departures in western Nebraska, eastern Colorado, and central Montana (10–13 degrees above normal). Cooler-than-normal temperatures are anticipated across much of central Texas (5–9 degrees below normal), while warmer-than-normal conditions are expected across the Mid-Atlantic (5–7 degrees above normal).

The 6-10 day outlooks show that the locations with the best chances of experiencing below- normal temperatures are in the Southwest, especially those locations in Arizona and southern Nevada and California as well as in New England with the best chances in both Arizona and Maine. There is a high likelihood of above-normal temperatures over much of the Midwest, Plains, and into the South and Southeast with the best chances over Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma into southern Nebraska and Iowa. Precipitation chances are expected to be near-normal over southern Florida and southern areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Near-normal precipitation is also expected over the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest and into the Northern Plains. In the Northeast, there will be a mix of near-normal to below-normal precipitation chances. Most of the rest of the country has above-normal chances of recording above-normal precipitation with the greatest chances over an area from northern Louisiana to Indiana.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (4/14)

2026-04-14T06:49:00.000-07:00