Special Report from CASI Member Jim G. Munley, jr.

Update 6/21/00 - CASI Members Argue for and against the Drought situation on the CASI StormReports Email List...

Drought Statement 
No. 9
100 PM EDT Tue., June 20, 2000

Severe to extreme drought conditions persist in the South, The Midwest and 
the Southwest.  The dry conditions in the Midwest have persisted since last 
summer.
Rain fell in the northern Plains and the northern Great Lakes.  It remained 
dry south of the area.  Hot, dry, and very windy conditions occurred in the 
western Corn Belt June 6-9, with temperatures nearing or exceeding 100°F. As 
a result, drought conditions intensified westward into southwestern Nebraska 
and western Kansas. 
It remained dry across most of the Southeast, except in southern Florida, 
where there was some relief from the drought conditions. Even though 
temperatures averaged below normal for the week, the drought intensity 
increased for a 
large part of Georgia, extreme southeastern Alabama, and parts of 
northwestern 
Florida. Stream flows in this region are exceeding all-time lows. Moisture 
from the first tropical depression of the season spread into Texas, generally 
over regions that have already seen drought eliminated during the past month. 
In the West, little precipitation fell across the western United States. 
Regions of drought exist in Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. In addition, 
abnormally dry areas exist in Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Wildfires are the 
main concern across these regions.

OUTLOOK

In the short term, warm and dry conditions are expected in the South and 
Southwest.  Wet conditions are expected in the Northwest.  Wet conditions are 
expected in the central Plains. In the Long term, warm and dry conditions are 
expected to continue in the Southeast, the central Plains and the Southwest.  
Wet conditions are expected in the Ohio Valley.