Some 37 percent of the winter wheat area, mainly the southern Plains, mid-South and inland sections of the Pacific Northwest, is under drought, says a monthly summary by USDA chief meteorologist Brad Rippey. “According to USDA, winter wheat conditions declined in several states during January, in part due to drought and possibly due to the adverse effects of winter weather extremes.” In Oklahoma, 41 percent of winter wheat was rated good or excellent at the end of January, down 13 points since the start of the month. Some 98 percent of winter wheat in Oklahoma was in drought, compared to 75 percent in Texas, 49 percent in Kansas and 81 percent in Oregon, according to the USDA’s Ag in Drought site.
“Dramatic change is on the way for northern California, which has been mostly dry for the last six weeks,” wrote Rippey. “During the next five days, a barrage of Pacific storms will result in heavy precipitation and possible flooding in the Pacific Northwest, the northern Rockies, and northern California. However, warmth accompanying the storminess will continue to limit snowfall in key watershed areas, including the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.” Rainfall in northern California could total 4 to 12 inches, with isolated areas getting as much as near 18 inches.