The latest 7-day QPF map shows that most of the region should receive some rain this week. However, many parts will receive less than half an inch, which won’t even settle the pollen, much less moisten up the soil. This means that abnormally dry conditions and moderate drought in the region are likely to remain and could even expand. Fortunately, the longer term forecast shows that we should return to a rainier pattern in April, but we will have to wait and see how much. With warmer than normal temperatures, evaporation will also hasten the loss of moisture from the soil.
