Rain improves water conditions in the U.S. Midwest.

The return of rainfall in April improved water conditions in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region of the United States – important grain-producing areas. However, cotton-producing areas in the Mississippi Delta and the eastern region faced an intensification of drought throughout this month. 

The assessment is included in DATAGRO's new VIP Report, published this Tuesday (28).

According to the document, in the Midwest, the accumulated rainfall for April reached 139.8 mm, a volume 44% above the climatological average. The Lakes region recorded 102.2 mm (35.8% above average). In these areas, the occurrence of drought is practically nonexistent.

On the other hand, the Mississippi Delta accumulated only 67.4 mm (53.9% of what was expected), maintaining several points with extreme drought. In the Northern Plains, the average precipitation was 41.1 mm, equivalent to 62.1% of the climatological average.

 

Soil moisture presents a contrasting scenario between regions.

The Midwest and the Lakes region maintain a favorable scenario, with all states showing more than 50% of their areas with adequate moisture levels. In the Northern Plains, Kansas has only 34% of its area with adequate moisture and Nebraska 27%. In Arkansas (Mississippi Delta), 42% of the area has adequate moisture.

In the cotton-producing region, many states are facing water shortages: Georgia and South Carolina with 97% of their area affected, Virginia 88%, and North Carolina 81%.

 

Forecast indicates rainfall concentrated in the Midwest.

Over the next few days, rainfall is expected to continue favoring the Midwest and Lakes region, with accumulations between 20 and 40 mm. The Mississippi Delta may experience intense rainfall, with Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama accumulating more than 60 mm.

NOAA's forecast for May indicates rainfall volumes close to the climatological normal across most of the country, with exceptions in Texas and the Mississippi region, where above-average accumulations are expected.

For more information, visit the VIP Report in analysis section of DATAGRO Portal.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.