7.20.12 Drought Worsens, Will Continue - FOX44 - Burlington / Plattsburgh News, Weather & Sports

7.20.12 Drought Worsens, Will Continue

Drought continues to get worse in the Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and parts of New England.  Locally some of our area is in a minor drought. Here are the numbers on yearly precipitation compared to average

Bennington, VT: -6.58"

Springfield, VT: -5.56"

Massena, NY: -2.82"

Montpelier, VT: -2.11"

St. Johnsbury, VT: -1.77"

Burlington, VT: -1.72"

Saranac Lake, NY: -0.87"

Now we shouldn't complain too much, because parts of the Midwest, Southeast, and especially Plain states have been bone dry. I've seen some stats regarding how dry it has been. I think one stated rainfall fell the other day for the first time (in Indiana) in 46 days. Wow! I can't imagine going that long without a drop. Another one I saw today put it into perspective. It was from Sarah Dillingham, a weather producer and meteorologist at CNN:

US drought Indianapolis implemented mandatory water restrictions for the first time ever. Many trees losing leaves & going dormant months early.

Drought has worsened across the Midwest where many people are calling it the worst since the 1950s.  Statistics show:

Minor drought last week: 79.95% of the country

Minor drought this week: 80.75%

Moderate drought last week: 60.84%

Moderate drought this week: 63.54%

Severe drought last week: 37.19%

Severe drought this week: 42.23%

Extreme drought last week: 11.61%

Extreme drought this week: 13.53%

Probably the hardest statement that I found from the discussion came here:

"The dryness and heat wave pattern are still locked in," Fuchs said. "The latest forecast says this isn't changing. This could easily go on into September."

That was according to Brian Fuchs, climatologist and U.S. Drought Monitor author at the National Drought Mitigation Center.  The pattern looks like it is holding tough too. I've looked well into next week and the ridge of high pressure will continue to be locked in across the Plains. For us, we'll be mostly dry with a slight chance of rain Monday and Tuesday. But those chances will be hit and miss so not everyone will get the beneficial rain. We'll keep you posted on the latest weather!

-Meteorologist Steve Glazier