The National Weather Service issues its updated long-term weather forecasts once each month. Obviously, the May and June updates are important because they provide at least a glimpse of what weather conditions might be during the gut slot of the North American growing season. The maps below, released 17 May, show the precipitation and temperature forecasts for the June/July/August time frame. It’s notable that there isn’t a change from last month’s outlook. For the most part, they indicate that weather models suggest normal temperatures/precipitation for the center of the country, essentially the Corn Belt, and above-normal precipitation for the eastern third of the U.S.
Below are the drought monitor maps of 15 May 201...
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