With the end of the West Coast wet season drawing to a close, it appears that areas west of the Rockies are likely to see the drought that is already established there get worse. Drought conditions east of the Rockies are also likely to spread and strengthen, leading to poor conditions for agriculture in the central US if this occurs. Farm Progress posted a story this week discussing this potential expansion of the drought here. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty in the longer-range forecasts, so climatologists will be watching conditions closely to see what weather patterns set up and how the tropical season develops. Fortunately, development of drought in the Southeast looks less likely due to the wet conditions we have had this winter.
