GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 2001

UNITED STATES

Central United States

Rainfall of 50 to 100 mm (2.00”-4.00”) of rain brought limited relief to central Missouri, and 25 to 50 mm (1.00”-2.00”) of precipitation dampened southeastern Michigan and the central and eastern portions of Ohio. Meanwhile, the remainder of the region received little or no rain as dryness dominated the early stages of the growing season.

North-Central 

Rainfall of 50 and 125 mm (2.00”-5.00”)) fell across the region from southeastern South Dakota northeastward to the Arrowhead of Minnesota. The wet weather has exacerbated the flooding situation along the Upper Mississippi River.

Eastern 

Moderate to heavy rain of 50 to 200 mm (2.00”-8.00”) fell on northeastern Mississippi, central Alabama, and west-central Georgia; but fewer than 50 mm (2.00”) were reported elsewhere.

Southern and Eastern United States

Light rain of 10 to 50 mm (.40”-2.00”) fell across central Arkansas, eastern North Carolina, and southeastern Florida while little or no precipitation was observed elsewhere. The lack of rainfall raised concerns for agriculture, especially in the Southeast.

EUROPE

Northern

Cold weather continued across northern Scandinavia and the northwestern corner of Russia for the second week as temperatures averaged 2°C to 5°C (4F-10F) below normal. The mercury dropped to -29°C (-20F)at Siccajavre, Norway.

SOUTH AMERICA

North-Central Argentina

Moderate to heavy rain of 50 to 100 mm (2.00”-4.00”) dominated Cordoba, San Luis, and southern Santiago Del Estero provinces of north-central Argentina, with torrential rain of 100 to 200 mm (4.00”-8.00”) reported in central Cordoba.

Central 

Temperatures averaged 2°C to 5°C (4F-10F) above normal in southern Brazil and southern Uruguay. Weekly highs of 30°C to 37°C (86F-99F) prevailed across northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the interior sections of southern Brazil while readings of 27°C to 29°C (81F-84F) were reported elsewhere.

THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

Temperature averaged 2°C to 5°C (4°F-10°F) above normal across the region extending from southern France southward to Morocco and eastward into the Middle East. Highs were generally in the 20’s C (80°F), except for the interior portions of Morocco, where the mercury soared above 30°C (86°F).

AFRICA

Northwestern 

Little or no rain fell over the northern portions of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia as the unusually dry weather continued. Short-term moisture shortages reached 100 mm (4.00”)at a few locations in Morocco and Algeria.

ASIA

East-Central 

Little or no rain fell on the region, with very dry conditions from China's Sichuan Province eastward to the Yellow Sea. Dryness has also developed over the Korean Peninsula and much of Japan.

Southeastern Asia

Scattered rainfall of 25 to 100 mm () fell on parts of eastern Thailand and extreme northern Vietnam, but most of the Indochinese Peninsula received little or none for the second consecutive week.

Central China

Temperature averaged 2°C to 5°C (4F-10F) above normal across central China from Gansu southward to Yunnan. The mercury remained above freezing throughout the region while highs were generally in the twenties (°C).

Northern China and Southern Mongolia

Temperatures averaged 2°C to 5°C 4F-10F) below normal last week, with subfreezing lows across the entire region. Readings approached -13°C (F) in northwestern China, and plummeted below -18°C (F) in west-central Mongolia. The mercury failed to reach 20°C (F) across most of the region.  

Southeastern Asia and the Philippines

Scattered storms again doused parts of the region from the Malay Peninsula eastward to the Philippine Islands with heavy rain of amounts of up to 150 mm ().

East-Central

Heavy rainfall of 25 to 100 mm () brought relief from very dry conditions to Hubei, southern Anhui, northern Zhejiang, and Shanghai provinces of east-central China and to Kyushu and Shikoku Islands of southwestern Japan during the third week. Meanwhile, little or no rain fell on the remainder of the region.

AUSTRALIA

western and Central 

Temperatures averaged 1°C to 3°C (2F-6F) below normal across the Northern Territory and the central and northern portions of Western Australia, with weekly lows generally below 20°C (F)and highs above 30°C (F).