Matt Makens

The weather pattern into February will favor heavy precipitation over much of
the plains, but mainly over the Southern US.

Estimated total precipitation through January 31st is shown here:

Parts of the Gulf Coast to see over two inches of water.

Overall, most of these areas will have wetter than average conditions. Also, not
the wetter than average conditions for the Southwest US...finally.

This map shows wetter (green) and drier (brown) than average expectations.

The maps above are for total precipitation. Let's focus on the frozen variety.

Estimated snowfall totals through January 31st are shown here. The purple and
pink shades indicate potential for 6 to 12 inches of snowfall. 

Focusing in on a part of the Corn Belt, down to the Central US in this map, to
show the higher snowfall potential from near Omaha to near Des Moines.

Also, higher snowfall returns or makes its first appearance to parts of the
Southwestern US.

From a water supply standpoint, this is a great change in the overall pattern as
an overwhelming majority of watershed basins have well below average snowpack to
date.

The late January pattern must continue for a long time if water supply and soil
moisture is to have much chance of recovery. At least the pattern has shifted
for the boost coming through the end of the month.

Final week of January to spread heavy precipitation across some much-needed areas of the country