Parade Of Storms Could Be Drought Busters?

It will be interesting to watch the weekly drought monitor that comes out every Thursday.  Last week's map did not include the 1-2" rains we received  over the weekend as we still are shaded in exceptional drought.  But that will change as a huge storm off the West Coast will tap into Pacific & Gulf moisture already streaming our way.  The 7 day rainfall prediction has us covered in the 3-5"+ rainfall area.

Will that be enough to end our drought?  No, but it will sure put a big dent into it.  Remember, unlike western states that need the winter rains & snows to refill their reservoirs, we have the Mississippi River as our source.  What the winter rains here & farther north do is help out in raising water levels and increasing river flows pushing the salt water wedge back into the Gulf.  The next question might be, will 2023 end up as our driest year ever?  Let's take a look.

Our current year to date rainfall is 30.35" or 8.53" short of the driest ever.  *.53" would make for a wet December, but the bottom graphic shows that wouldn't make the top ten wettest.  My thinking is we'll end up in the top 3 driest, but we have a good shot to be the driest.  Something to watch.

The coldest air so far this Fall has plunged over the Great Lakes and eastern states.  The Great Lakes snow machine is fully turned on.

Tuesday & Wednesday here should be dry with filtered sunshine before storms arrive late Thursday into Friday.  Nicondra gave us the time line at 4 PM.

The front could stall over the northern Gulf lingering the rain chances into Saturday & Sunday.

Temperatures could be near freezing north of the Lake on Wednesday morning, but some clouds will keep any hard freezes away.  Finally...

We've heard a lot about coral reefs this past summer.  Check out the colors in the reefs in my son's (Justin) fish tanks in Oklahoma where he's growing corals for his saltwater colorful (expensive!) fish.  It is a lot of work, but his base degree is in Marine Biology.  Great hobby!  Stay tuned!