The updated April 2021 outlook was released today by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. It shows that warmer and drier than normal conditions are expected across the region for most of the month. If this verifies, we will have to watch carefully for the onset of drought in some areas, since plants are coming out of dormancy now and their water needs have increased substantially. Warmer than normal temperatures will also increase evaporation from the soil. If you see dry conditions starting to develop, you should report them using the Drought Impact Reporter or (if you are a CoCoRaHS reporter) through their Condition Monitoring Reports. You can find more information at this older blog post at https://site.extension.uga.edu/climate/2017/12/where-to-report-drought-impacts/. Florida is especially likely to see drought develop because they have been missed by most of the recent rainmakers. Of course, if you are one of our currently wet areas, you may be glad for the chance to dry out and get into the fields.
