Latin America Update #35: Rainfall Looking good in Central America, Caribbean

Rainfall is improving, and coming close to normal everywhere in Central America, except far northern Guatemala, and the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. The Caribbean islands have also been having a good season. Most of Mexico has been struggling with rainfall, severely in the northeast and in the Yucatan. In South America, poor rainfall continues in central Chile and a dry week in inland parts of Venezuela.

Asia Update #35: Precipitation Improving Across Asia

It is rare that I can make such a blanket statement about the whole continent, but with few exceptions, most of the areas that are growing crops have seen an improvement in rain. The Koreas and northeast China are getting rain from a very weak tropical storm, Meari. In south and southeast Asia, rainfall has also ticked upward in most areas.

Meari brushes by Shandong Province of China

A weakening and poorly organized Meari has brushed past Shandong province of China, and is now making its way towards the China-North Korea border. The system is not really packing much of a punch. Rains are only moderate, with a few isolated exceptions, and wind speeds are dropping, currently at 40 mph or 64 km/h. The system is rapidly falling apart and will likely dissipate when it reaches land during the next 24 hours, somewhere in either North Korea or in China's Liaoning province. The storm poses no significant threat, even to infrustructure poor North Korea. What rainfall is left, may help ease the dry-spell in northeastern China and along the Korean Peninsula. Unless something unexpected happens this will be the final update on Meari. 

Meari now heading for China

Meari forms east of the Philippines, aiming for Korea

Africa Update #35: Relief arrives in Chad

Rainfall surged into Chad, bringing some parts of the country, particularly the marginal areas, into positive rainfall totals for the season. Dryness, however, remains a problem in Chad, and nearby countries. Rains continue in Ethiopia, as the country is on track for a reasonable season. Far west Africa is also having an average wet season, although the rains have been slightly slow moving into Senegal. Precipitation continues in Morocco and Algeria, with trying further east.

Latin America Update #34: Beatriz grazes southwest Mexico

Beatriz, brought strong winds, and heavy rains to parts of the Pacific coast of Mexico this past week, but much of the country remains dry. Central America is doing well, with the exception of Guatemala, and nearby areas of Honduras and El Salvador. In South America, a dry week in Venezuela, southern Brazil, and southern Chile, but moderate rainfall elsewhere.