The latest 7-day QPF forecast shows that for most of the Southeast this week, rainfall amounts will be very light after today’s rain moved off to the east. A streak of land will see no rain at all, while other areas will receive small amounts of less than 1/4 inch. This could mean that the Drought Monitor this week will show more expansion of drought across the region. This is worrisome because we will need that moisture once the growing season begins. Plants are starting to come out of dormancy now in southern parts of the region, and that means water use from the soil will be increasing if there is little precipitation. But it also means that the land should be fairly dry and easier to get equipment on to do field work before the planting season starts. Week 2 looks like it will be warmer and somewhat wetter than normal, so this is a good week to get out and get ready. The warmer than normal temperatures are expected to last through most of March. So far I don’t see any signs of frost for southern GA and AL and points south through at least mid-March, a good thing for our fruit and vegetable producers although we are not out of the woods just yet.
