Volume 111, No. 52 www.usda.

gov/oce/weather-drought-monitor December 26, 2024

WEEKLY WEATHER
AND CROP BULLETIN
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Agricultural Statistics Service
National Weather Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board

HIGHLIGHTS
December 15 – 21, 2024
Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
Contents

S ignificant precipitation was confined to two primary Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps.................. 2
areas, from the mid-South into the Northeast, and Temperature Departure Map .................................................... 3
December 17 Drought Monitor &
across northern California and the Northwest. U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook .......................................... 4
Additionally, late-week snow—light to moderately heavy— Snow Cover Map &
blanketed parts of the North, extending southeastward from December 25 Satellite Image of Pacific Storm System ..... 5
eastern Montana and the Dakotas. Even with the pre- National Weather Data for Selected Cities ............................... 6
International Weather and Crop Summary ............................... 9
holiday wintry weather, snow covered barely one-quarter Bulletin Information &
(26.5 percent) of the Lower 48 States by the morning of Mark Brusberg Retires After 40-Year Federal Career ...... 18
December 22. Although much of the nation’s winter

(Continued on page 3)
2 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024
December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3

(Continued from front cover)

wheat remained devoid of a protective
snow cover, most of the crop continued to
overwinter well, amid ongoing mild
weather and recent improvements in soil
moisture. However, crop stress persisted in
some production areas, including portions
of the northern Plains, especially where
wheat experienced drought-related uneven
emergence and poor establishment.
Elsewhere, ongoing Western warmth
limited significant snow accumulations to
high-elevation sites in northern
California and the Northwest. Western
snowpack continued to languish in several
areas, including much of the Southwest
and the eastern slopes of the northern
Rockies. Concurrently, warmth was
prevalent across the West and the High
Plains, as well as the western Gulf Coast
region. In fact, weekly temperatures
averaged at least 10°F above normal in
many locations from southern and eastern
Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley,
and throughout the High Plains. In
contrast, temperatures averaged slightly
below normal in the north-central U.S.,
from northeastern Montana into
northern Minnesota. inches in Olympia. At times, precipitation fell as far east as the
northern Plains, where Montana locations such as Miles City (0.44
Early-week warmth was focused across the western Gulf Coast inch) and Townsend (0.35 inch) collected daily-record amounts for
region, where Victoria, TX, tallied a trio of daily-record highs (86°F December 15. On the 16th, daily-record amounts included 0.58 inch
each day) from December 15-17. The last time a warmer December in Burns, OR, and 0.27 inch in Twin Falls, ID. Meanwhile, periods
day occurred in Victoria was December 25, 1964, with a high of of precipitation—mostly rain—led to some daily-record totals in the
88°F. Unusual warmth extended eastward across the Deep South, South and East. On Long Island, NY, Islip collected a daily-record
with daily-record highs reaching 81°F in Louisiana locations such as sum of 1.49 inches on December 16. Heavy showers dotted Florida’s
Baton Rouge (on the 15th) and Lake Charles (on the 16th). On east coast, where Fort Pierce measured a record-setting total (3.05
December 17 in Florida, daily-record highs surged to 87°F in Punta inches) for December 17. A few days later, as colder air arrived,
Gorda and 86°F in Ruskin. During the mid- to late-week period, an snow accumulated from the northern Plains into the Northeast.
expansive area of record-setting warmth stretched from the Pacific December 19 featured the first 1-inch snowfall of the season in La
Coast to the High Plains. In southern California, daily-record Crosse, WI, where 6.6 inches fell, as well as Rochester, MN, which
highs for December 18 rose to 86°F in Anaheim, Camarillo, received 5.9 inches. Cold weather trailing the snowfall resulted in a
Escondido, and Woodland Hills. Elsewhere in California, Palm low of -12°F (not a record for the date) in La Crosse on December
Springs logged three consecutive daily records (85, 85, and 82°F) 21. Farther east, the first measurable snow of the season occurred on
from December 18-20. Warmth also extended into the Great Basin December 21 in New York locations such as LaGuardia Airport
and Northwest, where consecutive daily-record highs occurred on (2.8 inches) and Islip (2.0 inches), with both sites noting record-
December 19-20 in locations such as Astoria, OR (61 and 64°F, setting totals for the date.
respectively), and Tonopah, NV (61°F both days). Astoria’s reading
of 64°F also tied a monthly record originally set on December 26, Colder weather developed in much of interior and eastern Alaska,
1980. Finally, consistent Southwestern warmth pushed the while mild conditions lingered across southwestern Alaska, the
maximum temperature in Phoenix, AZ, to 83°F from December 18- North Slope, and coastal areas of the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
20, breaking a record each day. Phoenix has already set a station Nome, located on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea, has not yet
record with 4 December days reaching 83°F or higher; the previous dipped below 0°F this month; the lowest reading of 3°F occurred on
record of 3 such days had been set in 1939. Similarly, Tucson, AZ, December 16. The only year Nome failed to record a sub-zero
tied a 1939 record with 8 days of 80-degree warmth in December, December temperature was 1914, when the lowest reading of 3°F was
including 5 in a row from the 18th through the 22nd. Tucson also noted on December 17. Late in the week, however, a temperature flip
registered four consecutive daily-record highs (82, 82, 82, and 83°F) in southeastern Alaska resulted in warmer, wetter weather. By
from December 18-21. In contrast, a late-week cold blast sweeping December 21, daily-record highs were set in locations such as
across the Midwest led to consecutive daily-record lows (-15 and -21°F, Ketchikan (57°F), Sitka (55°F), and Yakutat (49°F). In addition,
respectively) in Gaylord, MI, on December 21 and 22. Gaylord’s Ketchikan clocked a peak gust to 52 mph on that date. Earlier, winds
lows both occurred on the night of December 21-22, with the reading had also raked parts of southwestern and south-central Alaska,
of -15°F being reported just before midnight. with gusts reaching 72 mph (on the 17th) in Cold Bay and 62 mph
(on the 20th) in Kodiak. Farther south, dry weather remained firmly
Northwestern precipitation was particularly heavy during the first in place across Hawaii, with even typically wetter windward sites
half of the week. On December 17 in western Washington, daily- receiving minimal rain. Through December 21, month-to-date
record precipitation totals reached 3.05 inches in Hoquiam and 2.36 rainfall at Hawaii’s major airport observation sites ranged from 0.08
inches in Olympia. Both locations received measurable rain each inch (6 percent of normal) in Honolulu, Oahu, to 1.92 inches (22
day during the week, totaling 5.12 inches in Hoquiam and 4.10 percent) in Hilo, on the Big Island.
4 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024
December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 5

GOES West IR
December 25, 2024
5:46 pm PST
Though La Niña has not officially developed, according to the latest diagnostic discussion issued by the
Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, atmospheric patterns in recent weeks across the
North Pacific Ocean and North America have been consistent with those often observed during La Niña. In
the United States, recent trends have included an active Pacific jet stream delivering significant precipitation
across the Pacific Northwest, as shown above; occasional Northern cold outbreaks, primarily from the
northern Plains eastward; and warmer- and drier-than-normal weather across the Deep South, especially from
southern California to the southern High Plains and across the lower Southeast, including much of Florida.
6 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024
National Weather Data for Selected Cities
Weather Data for the Week Ending December 21, 2024
Accessible Data Available from the Climate Prediction Center
RELATIVE NUMBER OF DAYS
TEMPERATURE ˚F PRECIPITATION HUMIDITY
TEMP. ˚F PRECIP
PERCENT
STATES
AND

FROM NORMAL

FROM NORMAL

32 AND BELOW
90 AND ABOVE
PCT. NORMAL

PCT. NORMAL
GREATEST IN

SINCE DEC 1
SINCE DEC 1
24-HOUR, IN.
DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

SINCE JAN 1

SINCE JAN 1
TOTAL, IN.,

TOTAL, IN.,
TOTAL, IN.

MAXIMUM
MAXIMUM

AVERAGE

AVERAGE
AVERAGE

AVERAGE

EXTREME

EXTREME

AVERAGE

OR MORE

OR MORE
MINIMUM
MINIMUM

WEEKLY

.01 INCH

.50 INCH
HIGH

LOW
STATIONS

AK ANCHORAGE 25 17 35 14 21 2 0.20 -0.06 0.20 0.63 76 21.51 133 86 71 0 7 1 0

BARROW 2 -5 10 -9 -1 0 0.00 -0.05 0.00 0.00 0 0.02 0 81 69 0 7 0 0
FAIRBANKS 1 -17 11 -32 -8 -3 0.11 -0.02 0.11 0.80 208 18.89 164 80 67 0 7 1 0
JUNEAU 30 22 35 14 26 -5 0.01 -1.43 0.01 6.81 147 75.79 116 94 68 0 7 1 0
KODIAK 42 36 44 21 39 7 2.39 0.31 1.04 11.11 188 82.38 109 99 84 0 1 6 2
NOME 26 12 34 3 19 11 0.02 -0.22 0.02 0.67 91 25.32 149 73 49 0 7 1 0
AL BIRMINGHAM 60 43 75 28 51 5 0.41 -0.71 0.21 3.11 95 50.04 90 92 60 0 2 2 0
HUNTSVILLE 56 42 71 28 49 4 1.35 0.00 0.48 2.59 63 51.78 98 97 70 0 2 4 0
MOBILE 69 46 80 32 58 5 0.00 -1.26 0.00 2.78 79 60.97 93 95 55 0 1 0 0
MONTGOMERY 67 43 79 32 55 5 0.00 -1.17 0.00 2.93 89 49.80 100 94 52 0 1 0 0
AR FORT SMITH 57 36 74 27 46 4 0.30 -0.48 0.28 1.47 61 54.21 116 94 51 0 3 2 0
LITTLE ROCK 56 42 70 26 49 7 1.17 0.02 0.69 2.89 82 54.88 111 97 64 0 2 4 1
AZ FLAGSTAFF 59 19 62 12 39 10 0.00 -0.42 0.00 0.00 0 20.31 101 62 14 0 7 0 0
PHOENIX 78 48 83 45 63 8 0.00 -0.16 0.00 0.00 0 4.43 63 40 12 0 0 0 0
PRESCOTT 64 28 68 23 46 8 0.00 -0.22 0.00 0.00 0 11.36 90 49 12 0 7 0 0
TUCSON 80 46 83 36 63 10 0.00 -0.22 0.00 0.00 0 13.36 129 29 9 0 0 0 0
CA BAKERSFIELD 60 41 68 35 51 2 0.00 -0.26 0.00 0.11 16 6.64 110 91 57 0 0 0 0
EUREKA 59 45 67 39 52 5 1.24 -0.70 0.57 4.06 73 46.47 122 98 62 0 0 5 1
FRESNO 57 43 67 38 50 3 0.00 -0.43 0.00 0.27 24 11.20 108 96 64 0 0 0 0
LOS ANGELES 67 49 82 47 58 1 0.00 -0.52 0.00 0.00 0 15.39 134 89 45 0 0 0 0
REDDING 53 43 65 38 48 2 0.93 -0.55 0.54 4.44 103 36.29 114 94 74 0 0 3 1
SACRAMENTO 51 42 56 37 47 0 0.55 -0.23 0.44 2.76 122 18.64 109 98 82 0 0 2 0
SAN DIEGO 67 48 71 45 57 0 0.00 -0.38 0.00 0.01 1 11.07 119 95 56 0 0 0 0
SAN FRANCISCO 57 47 59 44 52 1 0.44 -0.53 0.35 3.22 116 21.70 117 98 79 0 0 2 0
STOCKTON 51 43 54 35 47 0 0.35 -0.20 0.21 1.43 90 14.07 110 97 83 0 0 2 0
CO ALAMOSA 47 5 50 2 26 9 0.00 -0.07 0.00 0.14 57 11.18 153 87 24 0 7 0 0
CO SPRINGS 55 26 60 21 40 9 0.00 -0.05 0.00 0.27 170 19.57 123 69 18 0 7 0 0
DENVER INTL 58 23 68 18 41 10 0.00 -0.07 0.00 0.00 0 15.54 108 67 18 0 7 0 0
GRAND JUNCTION 49 23 51 21 36 9 0.00 -0.13 0.00 0.00 0 9.45 106 72 29 0 7 0 0
PUEBLO 55 19 63 15 37 6 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.12 59 15.20 127 83 26 0 7 0 0
CT BRIDGEPORT 44 30 54 18 37 1 1.77 0.86 0.99 3.96 141 46.25 107 91 61 0 4 6 1
HARTFORD 43 26 60 15 35 3 1.22 0.32 0.53 3.61 126 47.44 103 84 49 0 6 6 1
DC WASHINGTON 50 37 65 29 43 2 0.88 0.11 0.38 1.97 81 36.15 88 82 55 0 1 4 0
DE WILMINGTON 47 31 61 20 39 1 1.26 0.40 0.72 2.27 83 43.37 97 90 57 0 4 4 1
FL DAYTONA BEACH 73 58 79 44 65 4 0.78 0.23 0.54 1.74 112 63.79 126 98 68 0 0 2 1
JACKSONVILLE 71 53 79 36 62 6 0.20 -0.46 0.10 1.00 52 66.30 125 98 61 0 0 2 0
KEY WEST 77 69 82 62 73 0 0.15 -0.34 0.09 0.35 23 48.34 121 97 74 0 0 2 0
MIAMI 80 68 85 54 74 3 0.40 -0.17 0.29 0.50 28 70.94 106 92 60 0 0 4 0
ORLANDO 77 58 83 47 68 5 0.61 0.00 0.32 0.69 40 40.70 80 98 58 0 0 2 0
PENSACOLA 68 49 78 34 58 3 0.00 -1.22 0.00 1.75 47 63.52 95 88 53 0 0 0 0
TALLAHASSEE 71 51 78 31 61 7 0.05 -0.91 0.04 0.51 18 64.94 112 92 54 0 1 2 0
TAMPA 76 60 85 47 68 4 0.00 -0.64 0.00 0.08 4 83.20 170 95 60 0 0 0 0
WEST PALM BEACH 79 65 82 50 72 3 0.37 -0.43 0.19 0.54 22 67.14 110 96 67 0 0 4 0
GA ATHENS 60 40 73 30 50 4 0.25 -0.77 0.20 3.09 107 53.11 112 93 57 0 1 2 0
ATLANTA 61 42 74 30 52 5 0.00 -1.07 0.00 2.17 72 63.46 129 89 53 0 1 0 0
AUGUSTA 62 44 74 29 53 4 0.00 -0.94 0.00 1.11 44 47.96 113 95 59 0 1 0 0
COLUMBUS 65 44 78 35 55 5 0.00 -1.10 0.00 4.10 129 59.74 134 90 50 0 0 0 0
MACON 64 40 77 29 52 3 0.00 -1.08 0.00 1.94 65 48.65 107 98 58 0 1 0 0
SAVANNAH 70 50 80 35 60 8 0.24 -0.52 0.14 0.48 22 57.20 121 94 52 0 0 2 0
HI HILO 82 65 83 64 74 1 0.20 -2.46 0.19 1.99 22 96.52 82 98 65 0 0 2 0
HONOLULU 83 70 85 68 76 1 0.13 -0.39 0.13 0.21 14 11.73 74 89 60 0 0 1 0
KAHULUI 85 63 86 61 74 -1 0.00 -0.69 0.00 0.44 24 11.26 73 89 54 0 0 0 0
LIHUE 81 67 84 63 74 0 0.06 -1.05 0.04 1.11 34 32.90 94 100 72 0 0 2 0
IA BURLINGTON 39 26 48 16 33 4 0.00 -0.43 0.00 0.42 34 35.35 94 93 66 0 5 0 0
CEDAR RAPIDS 35 24 46 12 29 5 0.01 -0.34 0.01 0.01 1 33.45 94 96 76 0 7 1 0
DES MOINES 37 24 50 18 31 4 0.05 -0.30 0.05 0.59 51 38.72 107 93 66 0 7 1 0
DUBUQUE 32 23 42 5 28 4 0.16 -0.24 0.10 0.58 44 36.06 95 97 75 0 6 3 0
SIOUX CITY 38 17 50 7 27 4 0.02 -0.19 0.01 0.11 16 32.36 111 91 57 0 7 2 0
WATERLOO 34 21 47 5 28 3 0.24 -0.08 0.16 0.63 62 39.24 109 90 71 0 7 2 0
ID BOISE 47 33 59 30 40 9 0.56 0.20 0.30 0.91 87 13.52 122 91 54 0 3 4 0
LEWISTON 50 37 59 32 43 9 0.35 0.09 0.19 0.90 118 11.02 87 82 49 0 1 4 0
POCATELLO 42 24 49 20 33 8 0.75 0.50 0.38 1.14 146 13.67 118 91 60 0 7 3 0
IL CHICAGO/O_HARE 38 28 51 14 33 3 0.42 -0.03 0.21 0.76 51 35.12 94 91 68 0 4 4 0
MOLINE 38 26 42 14 32 4 0.54 0.08 0.51 1.35 94 32.89 87 91 67 0 6 3 1
PEORIA 41 28 54 18 35 5 0.04 -0.43 0.04 1.16 77 33.41 90 89 63 0 5 1 0
ROCKFORD 35 24 44 4 30 3 0.52 0.11 0.19 0.93 67 35.61 96 90 68 0 5 5 0
SPRINGFIELD 44 27 62 18 36 4 0.00 -0.45 0.00 0.09 6 22.72 61 94 62 0 5 0 0
IN EVANSVILLE 51 35 62 24 43 6 2.71 1.91 1.75 3.83 147 46.43 99 91 56 0 3 4 2
FORT WAYNE 40 30 56 23 35 5 1.03 0.50 0.60 2.05 124 34.59 89 91 69 0 5 3 1
INDIANAPOLIS 44 32 59 24 38 6 1.35 0.73 0.73 2.57 134 42.12 98 91 65 0 4 4 1
SOUTH BEND 39 29 54 23 34 5 0.59 0.07 0.20 1.07 67 40.63 105 92 71 0 5 4 0
KS CONCORDIA 48 24 60 15 36 6 0.00 -0.24 0.00 1.31 176 24.64 88 87 45 0 6 0 0
DODGE CITY 54 25 67 15 39 6 0.00 -0.24 0.00 0.00 0 32.22 148 78 30 0 7 0 0
GOODLAND 54 20 64 15 37 7 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.00 0 15.44 82 76 29 0 7 0 0
TOPEKA 50 24 64 13 37 4 0.00 -0.33 0.00 0.28 25 27.22 75 91 38 0 6 0 0

Based on 1991-2020 normals *** Not Available

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 7
Weather Data for the Week Ending December 21, 2024
RELATIVE NUMBER OF DAYS
TEMPERATURE ˚F PRECIPITATION HUMIDITY
TEMP. ˚F PRECIP
PERCENT
STATES
AND

FROM NORMAL

FROM NORMAL

32 AND BELOW
90 AND ABOVE
PCT. NORMAL

PCT. NORMAL
GREATEST IN

SINCE DEC 1
SINCE DEC 1
24-HOUR, IN.
DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

SINCE JAN 1

SINCE JAN 1
TOTAL, IN.,

TOTAL, IN.,
TOTAL, IN.

MAXIMUM
MAXIMUM

AVERAGE

AVERAGE
AVERAGE

AVERAGE

EXTREME

EXTREME

AVERAGE

OR MORE

OR MORE
MINIMUM
MINIMUM

WEEKLY

.01 INCH

.50 INCH
HIGH

LOW
STATIONS

WICHITA 52 26 64 20 39 4 0.00 -0.28 0.00 0.02 2 31.64 93 84 42 0 7 0 0

KY LEXINGTON 49 37 59 22 43 6 2.76 1.83 1.33 3.82 130 47.41 97 88 65 0 2 4 3
LOUISVILLE 50 39 61 27 45 6 1.72 0.80 0.76 2.60 91 51.06 108 80 53 0 1 4 2
PADUCAH 54 37 65 24 45 6 2.88 1.94 1.48 4.38 148 53.87 109 91 53 0 3 4 2
LA BATON ROUGE 73 51 81 35 62 8 0.03 -1.20 0.03 5.63 167 68.23 113 91 49 0 0 1 0
LAKE CHARLES 74 51 81 37 62 7 0.00 -0.98 0.00 3.31 114 64.14 110 95 49 0 0 0 0
NEW ORLEANS 70 52 79 40 61 5 0.04 -1.04 0.02 2.60 85 79.56 129 96 63 0 0 2 0
SHREVEPORT 68 51 79 34 60 11 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** 93 51 0 0 *** ***
MA BOSTON 44 30 60 15 37 2 1.37 0.39 0.63 5.06 168 45.34 106 89 53 0 5 4 2
WORCESTER 40 26 55 11 33 3 1.14 0.19 0.44 4.45 148 51.47 109 86 53 0 5 6 0
MD BALTIMORE 48 33 64 25 40 2 0.85 0.00 0.33 2.05 78 35.24 80 91 57 0 4 4 0
ME CARIBOU 32 14 50 5 23 4 1.03 0.24 0.46 3.82 152 35.76 90 88 61 0 7 5 0
PORTLAND 40 23 56 11 31 2 0.94 -0.08 0.51 4.37 139 44.74 95 91 51 0 6 4 1
MI ALPENA 33 24 45 7 29 3 0.61 0.21 0.16 1.67 129 34.26 117 97 66 0 6 5 0
GRAND RAPIDS 36 28 50 9 32 2 0.67 0.14 0.22 1.55 91 36.21 93 92 71 0 5 4 0
HOUGHTON LAKE 31 21 44 -6 26 1 0.65 0.28 0.18 2.06 165 19.35 84 94 71 0 6 6 0
LANSING 36 26 51 5 31 3 0.74 0.35 0.28 1.28 99 33.16 101 93 68 0 4 5 0
MUSKEGON 38 30 49 15 34 3 0.44 -0.09 0.14 1.49 88 34.33 99 84 65 0 4 4 0
TRAVERSE CITY 35 27 46 9 31 2 0.47 0.07 0.20 2.00 157 24.75 86 84 62 0 5 3 0
MN DULUTH 24 10 34 -9 17 1 0.43 0.11 0.21 1.02 98 28.42 92 86 67 0 7 4 0
INT_L FALLS 19 1 34 -18 10 0 0.51 0.29 0.33 1.65 246 28.81 114 89 71 0 7 3 0
MINNEAPOLIS 29 18 40 0 23 2 0.24 -0.02 0.23 0.76 91 36.21 115 89 67 0 7 2 0
ROCHESTER 28 17 42 -4 23 3 0.26 -0.02 0.24 0.39 41 35.21 102 92 74 0 7 2 0
ST. CLOUD 27 12 36 -14 19 3 0.33 0.13 0.33 0.43 71 34.92 123 87 67 0 7 1 0
MO COLUMBIA 47 29 56 21 38 4 0.00 -0.46 0.00 2.00 141 41.88 102 93 54 0 5 0 0
KANSAS CITY 47 26 57 15 37 4 0.00 -0.35 0.00 0.31 27 35.11 90 89 44 0 5 0 0
SAINT LOUIS 50 33 67 25 42 6 0.21 -0.32 0.16 1.87 114 48.85 119 81 50 0 4 2 0
SPRINGFIELD 51 26 63 17 39 2 1.11 0.54 1.11 1.97 112 42.84 97 91 45 0 6 1 1
MS JACKSON 68 48 77 31 58 9 0.28 -0.91 0.15 2.21 64 68.75 123 97 55 0 1 3 0
MERIDIAN 65 44 76 29 54 5 0.10 -1.12 0.08 1.62 46 49.20 89 96 60 0 2 2 0
TUPELO 57 45 65 29 51 5 2.40 1.08 0.74 5.23 123 51.87 92 94 71 0 1 4 3
MT BILLINGS 47 26 58 22 36 10 0.27 0.15 0.27 0.34 91 12.61 89 81 37 0 6 1 0
BUTTE 38 15 45 6 27 8 0.09 -0.02 0.09 0.12 37 9.89 79 90 49 0 7 1 0
CUT BANK 40 17 54 4 29 7 0.00 -0.07 0.00 0.00 0 7.41 69 84 49 0 7 0 0
GLASGOW 28 12 42 2 20 3 0.07 -0.03 0.04 0.28 104 12.06 90 79 62 0 7 2 0
GREAT FALLS 46 24 59 12 35 9 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.00 0 15.00 102 85 43 0 5 0 0
HAVRE 33 13 48 2 23 3 0.10 0.01 0.06 0.14 57 16.23 139 92 61 0 7 2 0
MISSOULA 38 27 48 22 32 9 0.24 0.00 0.08 0.26 36 11.71 84 96 67 0 7 4 0
NC ASHEVILLE 55 38 70 27 46 5 0.59 -0.34 0.41 3.04 106 64.67 133 93 62 0 2 4 0
CHARLOTTE 58 41 71 31 49 5 0.28 -0.54 0.14 2.75 117 52.62 123 89 59 0 1 3 0
GREENSBORO 54 38 69 27 46 4 0.02 -0.68 0.01 1.60 75 55.97 130 92 64 0 1 2 0
HATTERAS 63 52 71 38 58 6 1.12 0.00 0.59 2.46 75 51.09 85 97 74 0 0 5 1
RALEIGH 60 42 73 30 51 7 0.21 -0.58 0.20 2.48 110 55.76 123 90 58 0 1 2 0
WILMINGTON 65 46 76 34 56 6 0.23 -0.62 0.16 1.10 44 55.18 93 97 62 0 0 2 0
ND BISMARCK 27 8 34 -12 17 0 0.35 0.21 0.17 0.61 154 18.44 97 90 66 0 7 4 0
DICKINSON 33 9 45 -7 21 2 0.06 0.02 0.05 0.06 53 12.92 83 90 68 0 7 2 0
FARGO 23 11 34 -10 17 2 0.51 0.31 0.45 1.08 183 22.90 96 89 73 0 7 2 0
GRAND FORKS 21 7 34 -14 14 2 0.58 0.43 0.33 1.31 294 25.96 120 83 71 0 7 4 0
JAMESTOWN 22 9 32 -11 16 1 0.13 0.06 0.07 0.38 170 20.38 103 93 72 0 7 2 0
NE GRAND ISLAND 43 17 56 8 30 2 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.00 0 27.81 105 88 42 0 7 0 0
LINCOLN 45 19 59 9 32 4 0.00 -0.27 0.00 1.17 141 27.85 99 84 43 0 7 0 0
NORFOLK 41 17 54 8 29 4 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.11 18 26.89 100 83 49 0 7 0 0
NORTH PLATTE 51 18 64 10 35 8 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.00 0 21.78 104 76 27 0 7 0 0
OMAHA 40 20 57 10 30 2 0.00 -0.28 0.00 0.18 21 32.94 104 89 52 0 7 0 0
SCOTTSBLUFF 53 18 65 13 36 9 0.00 -0.12 0.00 0.00 0 12.96 83 77 26 0 7 0 0
VALENTINE 46 13 60 2 29 4 0.00 -0.09 0.00 0.06 19 17.01 81 89 37 0 7 0 0
NH CONCORD 38 21 56 5 30 2 0.82 -0.02 0.27 2.75 106 41.17 100 95 54 0 6 6 0
NJ ATLANTIC_CITY 49 31 61 19 40 2 1.17 0.10 0.78 2.39 76 42.28 94 92 59 0 4 7 1
NEWARK 47 33 61 18 40 3 1.39 0.45 0.80 2.57 89 40.45 89 86 53 0 2 7 1
NM ALBUQUERQUE 57 28 60 24 42 6 0.00 -0.12 0.00 0.00 0 8.72 100 53 20 0 7 0 0
NV ELY 52 20 61 17 36 11 0.00 -0.15 0.00 0.02 4 9.57 104 77 27 0 7 0 0
LAS VEGAS 64 44 68 40 54 6 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.00 0 2.15 53 36 16 0 0 0 0
RENO 51 27 57 23 39 4 0.13 -0.11 0.13 0.54 76 7.45 106 90 39 0 7 1 0
WINNEMUCCA 50 26 54 20 38 8 0.01 -0.23 0.01 0.12 17 10.10 133 83 43 0 7 1 0
NY ALBANY 40 25 56 7 33 3 0.87 0.16 0.31 3.33 146 43.91 110 89 59 0 5 6 0
BINGHAMTON 35 24 49 8 29 2 1.16 0.50 0.30 3.44 161 45.57 110 95 74 0 6 6 0
BUFFALO 38 27 52 10 32 2 0.73 -0.10 0.28 2.96 117 35.14 88 87 67 0 4 4 0
ROCHESTER 39 28 52 12 33 2 1.24 0.67 0.36 2.90 158 37.27 108 86 66 0 4 6 0
SYRACUSE 39 27 53 7 33 4 0.90 0.19 0.19 3.31 148 44.81 115 85 62 0 4 7 0
OH AKRON-CANTON 40 30 55 19 35 3 1.63 1.01 0.64 2.74 140 39.29 96 94 67 0 6 5 1
CINCINNATI 45 35 58 20 40 5 1.86 1.05 0.73 3.01 119 43.33 98 95 65 0 2 4 1
CLEVELAND 42 32 57 22 37 3 0.93 0.30 0.38 2.20 109 34.29 85 88 63 0 4 5 0
COLUMBUS 43 33 58 23 38 4 1.34 0.66 0.52 2.12 102 34.89 85 95 68 0 4 4 1
DAYTON 44 33 58 21 38 5 1.33 0.69 0.55 2.30 114 39.49 97 96 70 0 3 4 1
MANSFIELD 41 30 56 17 35 4 0.84 0.19 0.45 1.80 89 33.00 79 92 70 0 5 3 0

Based on 1991-2020 normals *** Not Available

8 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024
Weather Data for the Week Ending December 21, 2024
RELATIVE NUMBER OF DAYS
TEMPERATURE ˚F PRECIPITATION HUMIDITY
TEMP. ˚F PRECIP
PERCENT
STATES
AND

FROM NORMAL

FROM NORMAL

32 AND BELOW
90 AND ABOVE
PCT. NORMAL

PCT. NORMAL
GREATEST IN

SINCE DEC 1
SINCE DEC 1
24-HOUR, IN.
DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

SINCE JAN 1

SINCE JAN 1
TOTAL, IN.,

TOTAL, IN.,
TOTAL, IN.

MAXIMUM
MAXIMUM

AVERAGE

AVERAGE
AVERAGE

AVERAGE

EXTREME

EXTREME

AVERAGE

OR MORE

OR MORE
MINIMUM
MINIMUM

WEEKLY

.01 INCH

.50 INCH
HIGH

LOW
STATIONS

TOLEDO 40 29 56 14 35 3 1.33 0.81 0.66 1.43 87 35.76 104 95 72 0 5 3 2

YOUNGSTOWN 40 29 56 18 34 3 1.45 0.76 0.35 3.01 141 46.24 114 93 67 0 6 5 0
OK OKLAHOMA CITY 57 31 69 24 44 5 0.00 -0.42 0.00 0.10 7 38.07 106 88 38 0 4 0 0
TULSA 56 30 67 20 43 3 0.25 -0.31 0.25 0.48 28 48.56 120 91 45 0 5 1 0
OR ASTORIA 60 55 64 54 58 15 0.00 -1.01 0.00 0.00 0 62.57 97 84 66 0 0 0 0
BURNS 41 23 51 7 32 7 0.61 0.25 0.55 1.35 129 13.11 131 89 70 0 7 3 1
EUGENE 55 44 62 41 49 9 2.12 0.46 1.07 3.38 67 35.70 92 96 70 0 0 5 1
MEDFORD 52 39 63 28 46 7 0.89 0.05 0.55 1.87 76 19.85 114 96 68 0 1 4 1
PENDLETON 49 35 59 32 42 9 0.65 0.30 0.32 1.11 109 13.85 111 95 62 0 1 3 0
PORTLAND 54 44 58 42 49 8 1.79 0.47 0.89 3.37 83 37.22 105 88 65 0 0 5 1
SALEM 55 45 62 42 50 10 1.57 -0.02 0.50 2.98 61 39.94 104 90 68 0 0 5 0
PA ALLENTOWN 41 26 54 15 33 -1 0.91 0.07 0.40 2.35 85 40.26 86 91 61 0 7 4 0
ERIE 40 31 55 17 35 2 0.86 -0.07 0.33 3.09 109 37.65 90 86 66 0 4 5 0
MIDDLETOWN 41 28 53 19 35 -1 0.70 -0.05 0.24 3.10 128 44.74 103 91 63 0 7 4 0
PHILADELPHIA 48 32 63 20 40 2 1.23 0.32 0.71 2.33 83 39.93 92 91 53 0 2 6 1
PITTSBURGH 43 31 58 20 37 4 1.11 0.51 0.29 2.31 120 43.12 111 86 61 0 4 6 0
WILKES-BARRE 40 25 52 10 33 0 0.70 0.10 0.24 2.62 134 41.98 110 95 62 0 7 6 0
WILLIAMSPORT 38 26 45 15 32 0 0.79 0.11 0.24 2.69 116 45.39 106 91 67 0 6 5 0
RI PROVIDENCE 44 28 61 16 36 1 1.31 0.27 0.51 7.27 219 60.77 131 96 57 0 5 5 1
SC CHARLESTON 69 48 79 36 59 7 0.01 -0.78 0.01 0.46 20 53.42 103 95 55 0 0 1 0
COLUMBIA 63 44 76 35 54 6 0.24 -0.64 0.24 1.54 64 53.46 121 94 58 0 0 1 0
FLORENCE 64 46 75 35 55 6 0.06 -0.79 0.06 1.15 51 48.84 110 90 63 0 0 1 0
GREENVILLE 58 40 73 29 49 5 0.35 -0.69 0.29 3.87 126 54.44 113 96 58 0 1 3 0
SD ABERDEEN 29 14 38 -4 22 4 0.19 0.06 0.11 0.45 111 21.61 99 89 70 0 7 3 0
HURON 31 11 43 -5 21 1 0.36 0.22 0.24 0.44 97 21.83 94 91 68 0 7 3 0
RAPID CITY 47 17 59 7 32 7 0.03 -0.05 0.03 0.32 141 14.47 83 79 38 0 7 1 0
SIOUX FALLS 32 14 45 2 23 1 0.26 0.08 0.21 0.64 110 31.19 112 89 66 0 7 2 0
TN BRISTOL 51 39 60 23 45 6 0.78 -0.06 0.33 2.25 85 43.66 101 97 74 0 2 6 0
CHATTANOOGA 56 42 71 31 49 5 0.85 -0.30 0.39 1.73 47 42.65 79 91 65 0 2 4 0
KNOXVILLE 54 41 69 26 47 6 1.37 0.27 0.75 4.22 120 56.43 111 96 69 0 1 4 1
MEMPHIS 57 43 68 29 50 6 1.55 0.32 0.96 3.73 96 55.65 104 93 64 0 2 3 1
NASHVILLE 54 42 64 29 48 6 1.73 0.76 1.09 3.34 105 47.88 96 87 63 0 1 3 1
TX ABILENE 68 38 78 31 53 7 0.00 -0.30 0.00 0.39 45 24.00 96 83 39 0 2 0 0
AMARILLO 61 31 72 26 46 8 0.00 -0.17 0.00 0.00 0 22.83 117 61 21 0 5 0 0
AUSTIN 72 52 80 36 62 9 0.12 -0.50 0.07 1.31 72 28.31 79 91 43 0 0 3 0
BEAUMONT 74 54 81 40 64 9 0.02 -1.09 0.02 1.20 36 67.50 111 94 53 0 0 1 0
BROWNSVILLE 81 64 86 55 72 8 0.61 0.33 0.59 4.93 599 43.10 163 91 58 0 0 2 1
CORPUS CHRISTI 79 56 85 46 67 8 0.00 -0.46 0.00 1.61 123 27.60 88 98 55 0 0 0 0
DEL RIO 75 53 81 42 64 11 0.02 -0.16 0.02 0.24 47 11.36 58 79 42 0 0 1 0
EL PASO 67 37 69 31 52 7 0.00 -0.15 0.00 0.00 0 6.76 78 40 16 0 1 0 0
FORT WORTH 68 43 78 33 55 8 1.61 0.95 1.48 2.84 148 38.01 104 84 47 0 0 3 1
GALVESTON 71 59 78 47 65 7 0.17 -0.77 0.17 0.96 32 47.69 103 97 72 0 0 1 0
HOUSTON 74 54 82 39 64 9 0.13 -0.80 0.13 1.20 42 58.19 114 93 51 0 0 1 0
LUBBOCK 65 33 72 29 49 8 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.00 0 23.34 128 67 24 0 4 0 0
MIDLAND 66 35 74 30 50 4 0.00 -0.13 0.00 0.00 0 10.35 78 85 30 0 3 0 0
SAN ANGELO 71 38 79 29 55 7 0.00 -0.21 0.00 0.23 37 18.20 87 91 38 0 3 0 0
SAN ANTONIO 73 56 80 44 65 12 0.15 -0.30 0.15 1.23 89 23.25 73 86 46 0 0 1 0
VICTORIA 80 52 86 36 66 10 0.02 -0.49 0.02 0.87 55 33.16 83 95 40 0 0 1 0
WACO 68 43 79 26 56 7 0.22 -0.43 0.11 1.25 66 36.90 103 95 49 0 2 3 0
WICHITA FALLS 63 33 75 25 48 5 0.01 -0.33 0.01 0.05 4 32.96 119 84 38 0 3 1 0
UT SALT LAKE CITY 49 30 54 26 40 8 0.00 -0.32 0.00 0.15 15 13.74 90 81 43 0 5 0 0
VA LYNCHBURG 50 35 66 24 42 4 0.63 -0.14 0.44 3.11 125 39.74 95 90 62 0 1 2 0
NORFOLK 58 45 73 34 51 6 0.46 -0.32 0.33 3.48 156 52.52 108 87 60 0 0 3 0
RICHMOND 54 37 71 25 45 4 0.38 -0.43 0.22 2.04 83 51.35 115 96 58 0 2 3 0
ROANOKE 48 35 66 25 41 1 0.59 -0.07 0.53 2.51 114 39.80 94 89 59 0 1 2 1
WASH/DULLES 47 33 62 28 40 3 0.83 0.09 0.46 2.62 112 35.95 84 86 57 0 3 3 0
VT BURLINGTON 37 24 53 6 30 3 0.48 -0.06 0.13 3.02 174 40.04 108 88 57 0 5 6 0
WA OLYMPIA 51 39 55 36 45 6 4.13 2.44 2.33 6.31 119 46.01 95 100 80 0 0 7 3
QUILLAYUTE 54 43 58 36 48 7 6.46 3.44 2.57 11.37 122 101.26 104 95 78 0 0 7 3
SEATTLE-TACOMA 54 43 58 39 48 7 2.06 0.80 0.84 3.53 91 31.83 84 91 62 0 0 7 1
SPOKANE 40 32 50 30 36 8 1.00 0.47 0.36 1.70 107 15.41 97 100 81 0 6 5 0
YAKIMA 42 29 54 23 36 6 0.61 0.26 0.35 1.01 105 7.33 96 94 73 0 5 4 0
WI EAU CLAIRE 29 16 40 -10 22 3 0.17 -0.13 0.15 0.17 17 35.13 107 88 65 0 6 2 0
GREEN BAY 33 20 42 -1 27 3 0.31 -0.07 0.27 0.44 35 33.41 107 87 63 0 5 3 0
LA CROSSE 31 19 43 -12 25 1 0.35 0.02 0.32 0.65 61 34.59 99 85 64 0 5 2 0
MADISON 31 22 41 0 27 2 0.36 0.01 0.26 0.59 49 48.17 131 92 68 0 5 5 0
MILWAUKEE 38 29 47 15 33 5 0.44 0.04 0.27 0.67 50 39.09 114 81 60 0 4 4 0
WV BECKLEY 45 30 60 18 38 2 1.32 0.60 0.43 2.89 125 38.37 89 91 72 0 6 6 0
CHARLESTON 49 33 62 23 41 3 2.00 1.22 1.01 3.40 135 41.33 91 91 61 0 4 5 2
ELKINS 46 28 60 19 37 3 1.59 0.80 0.64 3.72 148 46.96 101 97 67 0 5 6 2
HUNTINGTON 48 36 60 23 42 4 1.84 1.06 0.70 3.02 120 43.19 97 85 62 0 1 4 2
WY CASPER 48 22 57 17 35 11 0.00 -0.14 0.00 0.06 13 10.22 84 76 29 0 7 0 0
CHEYENNE 49 22 61 15 35 7 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.00 0 10.50 68 65 21 0 7 0 0
LANDER 47 20 56 12 33 13 0.00 -0.13 0.00 0.00 0 10.39 79 63 27 0 7 0 0
SHERIDAN 51 20 62 16 35 12 0.00 -0.12 0.00 0.19 50 11.67 79 80 29 0 7 0 0

Based on 1991-2020 normals *** Not Available

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 9

International Weather and Crop Summary

December 15-21, 2024
International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB

HIGHLIGHTS

EUROPE: Widespread showers and warmer temperatures AUSTRALIA: Rain in the northeast further benefited
continued over much of Europe, though short-term dryness summer crops, which are reportedly in good condition.
has developed in southwestern growing areas.
SOUTH AFRICA: Warm weather with beneficial showers
MIDDLE EAST: Rain in Turkey contrasted with mostly throughout much of the corn belt created more favorable
dry and cold weather in Iran. conditions for corn and other rain-fed summer crops.

NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Intensifying drought in ARGENTINA: Beneficial rain continued in western

Morocco and western Algeria juxtaposed with additional production areas, but dryness lingered over Buenos Aires.
favorable rainfall in northeastern portions of the region.
BRAZIL: Conditions favored soybeans in most major
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Widespread showers continued production areas, although moisture was likely becoming
although lighter in some areas previously soaked by limited for summer crops in Rio Grande do Sul.
downpours.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

10 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024

EUROPE

Widespread showers and warmer temperatures prevailed precipitation since October 1 in southwestern Hungary
during the monitoring period, though short-term dryness (Transdanubia) stood at 34 percent of normal and remained the
lingered in Spain. Periods of rain continued over most of the driest of the past 30 years. Temperatures averaged 2 to 7°C
continent, with weekly totals averaging 5 to 40 mm from above normal over most of central, northern, and eastern
England and France eastward. However, short-term dryness Europe, with near-normal temperatures confined to
has developed over much of Spain since the beginning of southwestern portions of the continent. Consequently, most
November, reducing topsoil moisture for winter grain primary winter crop areas remained devoid of a protective
emergence and establishment. Furthermore, highly localized snow cover, though minimum temperatures remained well
albeit extreme drought persisted in Hungary and environs; above the threshold for burnback or winterkill.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 11

MIDDLE EAST
Rain and near-normal temperatures over Turkey contrasted east. From the eastern Mediterranean Coast into Iran,
with colder and mostly drier weather elsewhere. The light to moderate rainfall (5-25 mm) was mostly confined
recent spell of wet weather continued in Turkey, with to northern Iraq and environs. Topsoil moisture has
precipitation (mostly in the form of rain) totaling 10 to 65 become limited from Syria into Jordan and central Iraq
mm from the Anatolian Plateau westward. Furthermore, due to short-term dryness, while moisture supplies were
totals exceeded 100 mm in southwestern Turkey (locally mostly favorable in western and northeastern Iran.
up to 250 mm) for a third consecutive week. However, the Anomalous cold (up to 6°C below normal) expanded
country’s southeastern GAP Region remained completely across Iran into Iraq, with minimum temperatures between
dry, also for a third consecutive week. Temperatures in -19° and -10°C noted over much of western and
Turkey averaged near normal in central and western northeastern Iran. However, primary winter crop areas
portions of the country but up to 4°C below normal in the remained above the threshold for burnback or winterkill.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

12 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024

NORTHWESTERN AFRICA
Intensifying drought in the west contrasted with additional evapotranspiration rates. The satellite-derived Vegetation
beneficial rain in the northeast. Isolated light showers in Health Index averaged over Morocco’s croplands was the
Morocco (5 mm or less) offered no relief from severe to lowest on record for this time of year, dating back to 1982.
extreme drought. Rainfall since the onset of the 2024-25 Meanwhile, moderate to heavy showers (10-50 mm) adjacent
Water Year (September 1) over Morocco’s primary growing to the Mediterranean Coast from central Algeria into northern
areas along the central Atlantic Coast remained below 45 Tunisia maintained favorable prospects for emerging to
percent of normal, marking the fourth time with drought to vegetative winter grains. Conversely, increasingly dry
start the winter grain growing campaign over the past five conditions (30-day rainfall less than 25 percent of normal)
years. The drought extended into western Algeria, where little persisted farther inland over the Hautes Plateau of eastern
to no rain was reported. Furthermore, temperatures up to 3°C Algeria and the Steppe Region of northern Tunisia, raising
above normal in Morocco heightened soil moisture losses and concerns of a return to drought.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 13

SOUTHEAST ASIA
A strong easterly flow continued to inundate eastern sections (Malaysia and Indonesia), although totals were more
of the region, most notably the eastern Philippines. Rainfall seasonable than the inundations of the previous weeks. The
totals topped 150 mm from southern Luzon to Mindanao in the relatively lighter rainfall allowed some oil palm harvesting to
Philippines, submerging some rice in the early stages of resume and limited further yield losses. Meanwhile,
development but not causing widespread damage. Heavy seasonably wet weather in Java, Indonesia, sustained ample
showers also continued in southern sections of the region moisture for vegetative wet-season rice.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

14 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024

AUSTRALIA
In southern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, Australia, however, temporary fire bans associated with
widespread, locally heavy showers (10-50 mm or more) occasional extreme heat were periodically interrupting the
maintained adequate to abundant moisture supplies for harvest. Elsewhere in the wheat belt, hot, mostly dry
summer crop development. The rain likely slowed weather in South Australia and Western Australia favored
additional sorghum planting, but the wet weather was final winter crop harvesting, which was reportedly nearly
beneficial overall, with summer crops reportedly in good complete. Maximum temperatures in the west approached
condition. Farther south, hot, mostly dry weather 40°C on the hottest days, but in the southeast, temperatures
throughout the remainder of New South Wales and Victoria climbed even higher with maxima in the middle 40s degrees
helped dry mature winter grains which were awaiting C. In the northeast, temperatures averaged near normal
harvest. Harvesting was well advanced in southeastern with maxima primarily in the 30s degrees C.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 15

SOUTH AFRICA
Warm temperatures continued across the region but were West to the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern
slightly cooler than last week, averaging only 1 to 3°C Cape, providing relief to any corn planted in northwest
above normal. Daytime highs were in the middle to upper KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. A pocket of slightly heavier
30s (degrees C) for most of the region, with lower to middle rain (118 mm) was recorded in southern Mpumalanga and
30s from Gauteng to Mpumalanga and south toward the northern KwaZulu-Natal. The western corn belt received
coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Rainfall totaled 25 to 100 some much-needed rain totaling 10 to 50 mm, but more will
mm for much of the area from Limpopo to eastern North be needed for germination.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

16 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin December 26, 2024

ARGENTINA
Showers continued throughout the region, with the highest daytime temperatures mostly in the lower 30s (degrees C).
rainfall concentrated over previously dry western farming Warm, showery weather also prevailed across the north,
areas. Amounts totaled 25 to 50 mm over Córdoba, southern although heavy rain (25-100 mm) was mostly confined to
Santa Fe, and in neighboring farmlands from northern La Formosa and Chaco. Highest daytime temperatures reached
Pampa to western Entre Rios. In contrast, mostly dry weather the upper 30s in traditionally warmer northwestern delegations
prevailed over Buenos Airies, including northern delegations (Santiago del Estero northward through Paraguay), hastening
that had been trending dry during December; while favoring emergence of summer crops, including cotton. According to
fieldwork, including winter grain harvesting, additional rain the government of Argentina, corn and soybeans were 76 and
will be needed soon as early-planted corn and soybeans enter 77 percent planted, respectively, as of December 19.
reproduction. Weekly temperatures averaged near to slightly Additionally, cotton was 84 percent planted, while wheat and
below normal throughout central Argentina, with highest barley were 73 and 47 percent harvested, respectively.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

December 26, 2024 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 17

BRAZIL
Widespread showers maintained overall favorable conditions fell over western Paraná, providing timely moisture for
for soybeans and other summer crops, although rainfall was reproductive corn and soybeans. Despite the patchy nature of
highly variable. Amounts totaled 25 to 100 mm in most the showers, weekly temperatures averaged 1 to 3°C below
farming areas from Mato Grosso eastward through Minas normal, with highest daytime temperatures mostly in the lower
Gerais, reaching as far north as Maranhão. However, several 30s. According to the government of Paraná, first-crop corn
small pockets of dryness (rainfall below 25 mm) occurred and soybeans were 87 and 78 percent flowering or filling,
elsewhere in the region. Near-normal temperatures (highest respectively, as of December 16. In Rio Grande do Sul, corn
daytime temperatures reaching the lower to middle 30s degrees was 94 percent planted as of December 19, and harvesting of
C) favored development of vegetative to filling soybeans, even the earliest planted fields was underway; meanwhile 94 percent
in the drier locations. Showers were generally lighter farther of soybeans were planted, with the earliest planted crops
south, although moderate to heavy rain (greater than 25 mm) beginning to flower.

For additional information contact: mark.brusberg@usda.gov

 Chief Meteorologist Mark Brusberg Retires After 40-Year Federal Career
USDA Chief Meteorologist Mark Brusberg will retire at the end of 2024, following a
40-year federal career. During his tenure with the federal government, he has written
for and helped to assemble more than 2,000 editions of the Weekly Weather and Crop
Bulletin, maintaining operational responsibilities for Canada, Mexico, Brazil,
Argentina, and South Africa even after becoming the department’s top meteorologist.

Mark, a native of the Baltimore area, completed his schooling at the University of
Maryland, earning his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Physical Sciences) in 1985 and his
master’s degree (M.S. in Meteorology) in 1987. While still a student, he joined the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in autumn 1984. During
his time with NOAA, Mark worked with the Joint Agricultural Weather Facility
(JAWF) at the USDA South Building in Washington, D.C. – and later briefly with the
Techniques Development Laboratory (TDL) in Suitland, Maryland. While on the
NOAA side of JAWF, Mark worked alongside Don Haddock, Lyle Denny, Wes Byrd,
Ray McInturff, and Jim Williams.

When Ron Lundine left JAWF and a full-time meteorology position opened in the
summer of 1986, Mark joined the USDA section of the unit, working with fellow
meteorologists Ray Motha—a future Chief Meteorologist—and Tom Puterbaugh.
Mark spent the remainder of his career with USDA, the last 10 years as Chief
Meteorologist. In that position, he helped to coordinate the activities of USDA agencies
responsible for weather- and climate-related issues and served as a liaison with other
organizations having similar interests, notably NOAA. Since 2000, Mark has been a
leading figure in the USDA’s drought assessment and mitigation activities and has
worked toward improving the performance of the U.S. Drought Monitor. He was active
in the design and implementation of the NOAA-led National Integrated Drought
Information System and currently serves on its Executive Council. In 2013, he began
serving in a leadership capacity with the National Drought Resilience Partnership, an
advisory group supporting the Executive Office of the President.

In retirement, Mark and his wife, Marcia, plan to remain in Maryland to be near their
adult sons and hope to be able to spend more time on travel and hobbies.

The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (ISSN 0043-1974) is jointly U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and World Agricultural Outlook Board
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Managing Editor....................................... Brad Rippey (202) 720-2397
Agriculture (USDA). Publication began in 1872 as the Weekly Weather Production Editor.................................... Brian Morris (202) 720-3062
Chronicle. It is issued under general authority of the Act of January 12, International Editor.............................. Mark Brusberg (202) 720-2012
1895 (44-USC 213), 53rd Congress, 3rd Session. The contents may be Agricultural Weather Analysts.................................... Harlan Shannon
redistributed freely with proper credit. Eric Luebehusen, and Maureen Sartini

Correspondence to the meteorologists should be directed to: National Agricultural Statistics Service
Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, NOAA/USDA, Joint Agricultural Agricultural Statistician and State Summaries Editor…..……….………...….
Weather Facility, USDA South Building, Room 4443B, Washington, DC Irwin Anolik (202) 720-7621
20250.
Internet URL: www.usda.gov/oce/weather-drought-monitor
E-mail address: brad.rippey@usda.gov U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
An archive of past Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletins can be found at National Weather Service/Climate Prediction Center
https://usda.library.cornell.edu/, keyword search "Weekly Weather Meteorologists................... Brad Pugh, Adam Allgood, Ryan Bolt,
and Crop Bulletin". Adam Hartman, and Rich Tinker

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