Some relief in the east, worsening drought from eastern Texas to the lower Ohio Valley...

Highlights: for the third consecutive week, beneficial showers dented long-term drought in the east. More than 2 inches of rain fell in many areas from northern Georgia to the northern Mid-Atlantic region, and in the middle Ohio Valley. Showers also dotted the eastern gulf coast states. Despite the rain, USDA reported that 17 states from Missouri and Arkansas to the east coast had pastures 55 percent or more in very poor to poor condition, as of August 29. From eastern Texas to the Mississippi Delta, a fifth consecutive week of heat and seventh week of dryness further stressed immature summer crops and increased the fire danger. Unfavorable short-term dryness also intensified in the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valleys. Meanwhile, rainfall from hurricane Bret brought some relief from long-term drought to southern Texas. From August 29-31, the outer rain bands of hurricane Dennis grazed the eastern Carolinas.

The East, South and Midwest: The core drought area, from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and northern Virginia to southeastern New York, diminished slightly in areal coverage and intensity to extreme hydrological drought (D3 W), and severe agricultural drought (D2 A). Severe hydrological drought (D2 W) conditions extend from northeastern Texas eastward into Georgia and western South Carolina, and northeastward into New York and southern New England. The western half of this region also has a D2 fire danger, while the eastern half has D2 agricultural concerns. Drought watch conditions (D0) stretch as far west as southeastern New Mexico and west Texas, as far southeast as central Florida, and as far north as the lower Midwest and southern Maine.

Outlook: the remnants of hurricane Dennis are forecast to drift west-southwestward, bringing a renewed chance of rainfall along the middle and southern Atlantic coast. Above-normal rainfall is forecast throughout the east during the 6-10 day period (September 7-11), which may further improve the hydrological situation. Farther west, however, near- to below-normal rainfall is forecast during the next 10 days from eastern Texas to the middle and lower Mississippi Valley.

The West, including Hawaii: Wildfire activity flared recently in many areas, including California, the Great Basin, and the northern Rockies. During the last few days, however, much cooler air and scattered showers have overspread the West. The main areas of concern, for fire (D1 F), remain northern California, northern Nevada, and southeastern Oregon. Agricultural drought, D1 A, continues to be a concern in the interior northwest as growers prepare for winter wheat planting. Drought watch conditions (D0) stretch from southern California northward into eastern Washington, Idaho, and the western half of Montana. Long-term drought persists in Hawaii, with the most significant drought conditions (D1) in the eastern islands, except windward areas of the big island. Since the beginning of 1998, rainfall has been less than 40 percent of normal in locations such as Honolulu (Oahu) and Kahului (Maui).

Outlook: most of the west will experience a warming trend during the next 10 days, although cool weather will linger in the Pacific Northwest. Dry weather is expected throughout the drought areas, except in the northwest, where scattered, beneficial showers are forecast.