December 2017 has started on a much warmer note than normal across the U.S. For the country as a whole, temperatures during the first week of the month have trended about 4F above normal and ranked as the 5th warmest start to December in 26+ years. However, a change in the pattern is on its way. While the West is forecast to remain warmer than normal over the next couple weeks, cold trends move into the East today, December 7th, and will likely hang around for at least the next 2 weeks. By mid-week next week, large portions of the Eastern half of the country could see temperatures fall 10 to >15F below normal for several days. With these cold, winter temperatures in place, the threat of snow increases as well. Many in the Northeast and Ohio Valley could receive a few inches of snow next week, with the higher totals falling in interior New England. Meanwhile, the other half of the country is forecast to trend much warmer than normal with generally dry conditions over the next 14 days.
Wildfires have erupted across southern California recently as a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong Santa Ana winds have provided favorable conditions for wildfires to spread. Humidity across the region is expected to remain low for at least the next week or so, which could allow existing wildfires to spread. With conditions like this, it is important for those in the area to pay close attention to the fires as they can grow and intensify rapidly.
While corn and soybean crops in the US have been harvested, down in Brazil, the new crop season is underway. Following a slower-than-normal start to soybean planting, progress during the second half of planting has been ahead of normal. Currently, about 92% of the country’s soybeans have been planted, up from the average pace of 87%. November was definitely the turning point for this crop as consistent rains fell across much of the growing regions, improving conditions for those that had been battling dry conditions. In general, the soybean crop is in good condition. The state of Parana has reported that about 90% of the crop is in good condition, with only 10% rated as average condition. Early planted beans are beginning to flower and a few fields could possibly start harvesting by the end of the month.
Full-season (first crop) corn is also ahead of average planting (81%) with 89% of the crop planted thus far. Rapid planting in the states of Minas Gerais and Goias boosted national planting progress by 18% this past week. Like soybeans, much of the full-season corn is said to be in good condition and some of the earliest planted crop is entering pollination. Acreage for the full-season corn crop has shrunk this year and is expected to account for just about a quarter of Brazil’s total corn production for the 2017/18 season. Safrinha corn, in turn, will account for about 3/4ths of corn production. Planting of the second crop corn will begin once soybeans are harvested. Typically, the safrinha corn accounts for about 2/3rds of Brazil’s corn production.
— Weather Trends 360