The South and Southeast: 2 to 5 inches of precipitation fell late last week in a broad area centered on the Ozark Plateau, providing significant relief from autumn dryness, and chipping away at abnormally dry (D0) and first-stage drought (D1) in the region. Widespread showers also boosted topsoil moisture from easternmost Texas to the Delta. Nevertheless, the rain had little effect on severe drought (D2) affecting many areas in a band from the western panhandle of Texas to Louisiana. Year-to-date precipitation through December 7 remained as low as 74% of normal in Little Rock, AR, 67% in Lake Charles, LA, and 63% in Houston, TX.

Farther east, recent showers brought little change to the severe drought (D2) affecting parts of western and central Georgia, or the first-stage drought (D1) in surrounding areas.

Outlook: Several storm systems are expected to pass north of the region during the next 10 days. Trailing cold fronts will spark several opportunities for locally heavy showers, primarily from the eastern portions of Oklahoma and Texas eastward. Dry weather is forecast to persist from central Texas westward.

The Ohio Valley and Midwest: A recent storm system dropped up to 1 inch of rain in the Ohio Valley north of the river. A core area of severe drought (D2) persists, however, centered across the middle and lower Ohio Valley and stretching as far west as the middle Mississippi Valley. Despite the recent improvement in topsoil moisture, streamflow remains very low, as the drought enters its 17th month.

Outlook: An active storm track will provide several opportunities for drought relief (D2-) during the next 10 days, particularly across the Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys.

The Plains: Recent rain and snow relieved or eased abnormally dry conditions (D0) across parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and the northern panhandle of Texas. Significant precipitation has not fallen in some of these areas, particularly in the Texas panhandle, since mid-September.

Farther north, however, severe drought (D2) continues to intensify across eastern Nebraska and northwestern Iowa. Abnormal dryness (D0) persists elsewhere on much of the central and northern Plains.

Outlook: The central and southern Plains are anticipating the passage of several low-pressure systems during the next 10 days. However, only light to moderate precipitation is forecast for most of the Plains. Significant precipitation will occur in the Rockies due to storm dynamics and orographics, and across the easternmost Plains, where moist inflow from the Gulf will be more pronounced.

The West: Dryness, typical of a La Nina regime, continues across the Southwest. Precipitation deficits are not yet hydrologically significant, especially in the wake of last summer's banner monsoon, but topsoils are very dry and range/pasture conditions are declining.

An abnormally dry designation (D0) has been added to southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico. In addition, fire dangers are increasing across southern California, necessitating an abnormally dry (D0) designation, as per the Keetch-Byram Drought Index and other indicators.

Farther north, some abnormal agricultural dryness (D0) persists in soft white winter wheat areas of the interior Northwest. The orographically-driven precipitation pattern from the onslaught of autumn storms across the Pacific Northwest is also typical of La Nina. In recent weeks, beneficial moisture has spilled into areas east of the Cascades, resulting in reduction of abnormal dryness (D0).

Outlook: Near- to above-normal precipitation is forecast across the Northwest during the next 10 days, but little or no precipitation is expected in the Southwest.

Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico: Heavy showers, with totals as high as 10 to 14 inches, fell across portions of Hawaii during the last week, further reducing rainfall deficits. However, Upcountry Maui, an area in drought for more than 2 years, remained dry for a fifth consecutive week. There are no significant dryness problems in Alaska or Puerto Rico.

Outlook: Hawaii should continue to see gradual improvement over the next few months as seasonal rainfall increases.