The South and Southeast: The last 7 days got off to a mild and wet start in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states, but cooler and drier conditions prevailed by late last week. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell on southeast Louisiana while 1 to 2 inches moistened the rest of the central Gulf Coast from extreme southeast Texas eastward through central and south-central Georgia. As a result, drought conditions improved in the wettest of these areas, but remained essentially unchanged elsewhere. D2 (severe) drought continued to affect much of central and western Georgia despite the rainfall, and even expanded slightly through parts of northeast Florida and northeast Alabama. Farther west, D2 drought continued from west-central Louisiana westward across a large swath of central Texas through the Big Bend region; scattered light precipitation (less than 1 inch) helped conditions slightly in far west Texas and parts of southern New Mexico, though not enough to change drought classifications.

Outlook: Little or no precipitation is anticipated through the next 5 days (December 30 - January 3), but near- to above-normal totals are forecast from central Texas eastward through most of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle during January 4 - 8. Above-normal temperatures should prevail throughout the next 10 days.

The Ohio Valley, Midwest, and Plains: Only scattered light precipitation (generally under 0.5 inch) was observed for the past 7 days, keeping drought intact across the central Ohio Valley, southwestern Great Lakes, middle Mississippi Valley, and central Plains. D2 drought expanded slightly in Indiana and northern Kentucky, where streamflows were unfavorably low, and remained unchanged in the region near the South Dakota/Nebraska/Iowa triple point, where soil moisture recharge for the year 2000 growing season was of primary concern.

Outlook: Most areas are expected to receive little or no precipitation through January 3, but above-normal precipitation is anticipated for the ensuing 5 days (January 4 - 8) from eastern sections of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas eastward through the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Warmer-than-normal weather through January 3 should give way to colder conditions for January 4 - 8 in the central Plains. However, from the middle Mississippi Valley eastward, near- to above-normal temperatures are expected throughout the next 10 days.

The West: Isolated rains of up to 0.5 inch were reported in California while little or no rain fell on Arizona. As a result, abnormally dry (D0) conditions continued affecting parts of these regions. Central and southern portions of the interior West have received very little precipitation over the past 3 months. However, there is minimal agricultural activity at this time of year, and water supplies remain sufficient to meet demand through at least the next few months, so drought-related impacts are not anticipated in the near future.

Outlook: None of the western D0 areas should receive any precipitation for the next 10 days. Meanwhile, abnormal warmth is expected from southeastern California through southern New Mexico and west Texas during December 30 - January 3, but the ensuing 5 days are expected to bring subnormal temperatures into southwestern California and near-normal readings to Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico: Since mid-December, rainfall has increased across central and western Hawaii. Much of Oahu reported 2 to locally 6 inches during December 19 - 27, effectively eliminating abnormal dryness (D0) on the island. In addition, parts of windward Maui received 1 to 5 inches during this period. Rainfall was lighter and more scattered elsewhere, leaving D1 (first stage drought) conditions on Molokai, Lanai, and much of Maui and the Big Island.

Outlook: Hawaii should experience gradual improvement over the next few months as seasonal rains continue.