Another Round of Heavy Rain and Mountain Snow in California; Snow in the Great Lakes and Northeast

Another round of heavy rainfall will renew concerns for additional flash flooding and landslides in southern California around burn scars and coastal mountain ranges. A low pressure system is bringing enhanced snowfall downwind from the lower Great Lakes into the Northeast mountain ranges. Above average temperatures will challenge or break daily record high temperatures across the southern Plains. Read More >

Drought Information

Drought conditions are redeveloping across western North and Central Texas in response to the growing rainfall deficit through late summer and early fall. Though October is climatologically the wettest month of the year, the current outlooks for the next 1-3 months favor below normal precipitation making the development/expansion of drought conditions increasingly likely.

Current Drought Conditions

U.S. Drought Monitor

Fire Danger

With winter dormancy ongoing, any extended period without precipitation could reignite wildfire concerns. The days with the greatest potential for fire initiation and spread are those that are sunny and warm with low humidity and breezy winds. This potential will diminish with the onset of the spring growing season.

Even if a formal burn ban is not in effect for your area, it is still important to be vigilant about fire usage. Avoid open flames near dry vegetation, and assure all coals and embers are fully extinguished.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is a drought statistic specifically designed to assess fire danger.

Drought Links

National Integrated Drought Information System

National Drought Mitigation Center

Drought Impact Reporter

Precipitation Estimates

Lake Levels

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