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March 1,2001, Drought Monitor Page 3 of3 and only 5 inches in early January. Despite six consecutive years (1994-95 to 1999-2000) with a near- to above-normal Sierra Nevada snow pack and near-normal cumulative holdings in California's 156 major reservoirs, summer water-supply concerns remain sufficient to warrant an abnormally dry (DO) tag in key watershed areas. Farther north, more serious concerns exist with respect to spring runoff prospects and summer water supplies, Most river basins from the Cascades to the northern Rockies received October to late-February precipitation totaling just 45 to 70 percent of normal. As a result, much of the region retains a moderate drought (DI) label. Hawaii and Puerto Rico: Generally quiet weather returned to Hawaii, following significant, drought- easing rainfall during the first half of February, Recent storms produced enough rainfall on Kauai to warrant eliminating the area of abnormal dryness (DO for agricultural and wildfire concerns). In contrast, most of the storms' moisture bypassed western Molokai, necessitating an increase to extreme drought (D3) for agricultural interests and the threat of wildfires, Meanwhile, only light showers dampened Puerto Rico, leaving an area of abnormal dryness (DO) along the southwestern coast. Looking Ahead: Weather features to watch in the next IO-day period that may affect areas experiencing dryness or drought include: I) a vigorous storm system is forecast to slowly cross the southern U.S. during the next several days, resulting in the likelihood of heavy rain in much of the Southeast. Lighter amounts of precipitation are expected in southern Florida, western Texas, and southeastern New Mexico; 2) the storm may turn northward along the East Coast early next week, bringing a chance of snow to the central Appalachians; 3) Storm systems will continue to approach the West Coast, providing additional moisture to the Sierra Nevada but only light precipitation from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies; 4); only light precipitation is forecast across the northern half of the Plains; and 5) the National Weather Service 6- to 10-day outlook for March 6-10 calls for a continuation of wet weather in the southwestern and south-central United States, including the southern Sierra Nevada, southeastern New Mexico, and western Texas, Below-normal precipitation is forecast across the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal amounts are expected in most other drought areas; Cool conditions are forecast to return to the Southeast, following a month-long period of unusually warm weather, Author: Br;lQ Rippey Monitor I About Us I Forecasts I Current Conditions I Archive I What's New I Contact I Links http://enso,unl,edulmonitor/monitor ,html 316/200 I