Weather Pattern Lock
For the same reason the south has been in drought the midwest and Texas have suffered too much rain. High pressure parked over us has pushed gulf moisture (and now tropical systems) into the heartland. Below is the year-to-date rainfall precentages. Some areas in the central Texas have already DOUBLED the amount of rain they normally see in an average year. Yearly rain way above normal are the norm through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and parts of the Dakotas.
Dry Every Direction You Look
Its not only a major drought for middle Tennessee but for a large region of the south. As you can see in the graphic below the SEVERE drought (in the lightest color) extends north just into Ohio, east half-way into South Carolina and down to northern Florida. The highest catagory drought that can be assigned (Exceptional) covers half of middle Tennessee and most of Alabama, even a little of western Georgia. Now you can see why local farmers are bringing in Hay from Ohio and Missouri; you have to drive about 300 miles in any direction to get out of the drought area (the closest rain-rich area is southern-Missouri).
Drought Update
The Nashville NWS has posted a very comprehensive look at the worsening drought in Middle Tennessee. It includes rainfall deficits, drought definitions and their impacts, and is well worth the read.
Latest Drought Update: Not Good
The latest Tennessee Drought Monitor was released this morning, and I’m surprised that the rains from last Friday/Saturday didn’t help us out a bit more.
Check the drought status of your county here.
