Drought conditions are expected to expand in the Southeast this winter

by Jeff Ishee

The US Drought Monitor recently published their forecast for drought conditions this winter. The report is not favorable for farmers in the Southeastern United States. The US Drought Monitor is published by the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. The "Seasonal Drought Outlook" is published once a month, specifically on the third Thursday of each month.

Several areas in the Southeast are expected to see drought conditions develop between now and the end of February, including major portions of the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Many of these states currently (mid-November) have drought conditions that are expected to persist for at least the next three months.

Click to enlarge map - Image credit NOAA NWS

Farmers in the New England States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine have suffered through several weeks of severe drought, but conditions are expected to improve this winter. For the week ending November 16, more than 80% of farmers in Maine and New Hampshire were reporting soil moisture as "short" or "very short."

Winter drought reduces the growth of cool-season grasses and hay fields. This forces ranchers to buy supplemental feed, raising costs and stressing livestock.

Winter is normally when soils accumulate water from rain and snow-melt. Crops like winter wheat, barley, and rye rely on adequate winter moisture to establish strong root systems. Orchards, vineyards, and forage crops also depend on winter precipitation to replenish groundwater.

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