Aggregator

WW 0554 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 554 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 40 WNW BRD TO 25 E BRD TO 10 S DLH TO 30 ENE BFW. ..BENTLEY..07/27/23 ATTN...WFO...DLH...MPX... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 554 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS MNC001-003-009-017-025-035-053-059-065-067-075-093-095-097-115- 123-141-145-153-163-171-272240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE AITKIN ANOKA BENTON CARLTON CHISAGO CROW WING HENNEPIN ISANTI KANABEC KANDIYOHI LAKE MEEKER MILLE LACS MORRISON PINE RAMSEY SHERBURNE STEARNS TODD WASHINGTON WRIGHT WIC003-005-007-013-017-031-033-035-051-093-095-099-107-109-113- 129-272240- WI . WISCONSIN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ASHLAND BARRON BAYFIELD BURNETT CHIPPEWA DOUGLAS DUNN EAU CLAIRE IRON PIERCE POLK PRICE Read more

WW 554 SEVERE TSTM MN WI LS 271905Z - 280200Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 554 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 205 PM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central and Eastern Minnesota Northwest Wisconsin Lake Superior * Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 205 PM until 900 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... Widespread large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3 inches in diameter likely Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely A tornado or two possible SUMMARY...Thunderstorms will rapidly develop this afternoon over central Minnesota and track southeastward across the watch area. Very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75 statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of Brainerd MN to 15 miles south southeast of Ironwood MI. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 553... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 29030. ...Hart Read more

SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0255 PM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023 Valid 272000Z - 281200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA...WISCONSIN NORTHWOODS...WESTERN UPPER MICHIGAN... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC... ...SUMMARY... Severe gusts and hail (some potentially significant) are possible the remainder of this afternoon and evening in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Damaging to severe gusts also may occur today with thunderstorms in parts of the Mid-Atlantic/New England regions, and the central High Plains and Rockies. ...20Z Update... A few minor changes to wind probabilities from the Ohio Valley into the Northeast as well as modifications to the general thunder area based on the latest observational trends. The prior forecast reasoning otherwise remains valid. ..Wendt.. 07/27/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1112 AM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023/ ...Northeast... A well-defined shortwave trough is moving across central NY today. Forcing for ascent ahead of this trough will aid in the development of scattered thunderstorms by mid-afternoon from parts of PA and southeast NY into southern and eastern New England. Rich low-level moisture and pockets of strong daytime heating will yield MLCAPE values around 2000 J/kg. Rather strong wind fields will promote relatively fast-moving storms capable of wind damage. Parts of southern New England may also have sufficient low-level vertical shear to pose a risk of a tornado or two. Please refer to MCDs #1736 and #1737 for further details. ...Western Great Lakes/Upper Midwest... Fast zonal flow is present today across the northern Plains, with 50-70 knot westerly winds above 6km noted on forecast soundings. A surface boundary is sagging southward across MN, and should provide the focus for rapid thunderstorm development later this afternoon. A very unstable air mass will develop from central MN into northern WI, along with sufficient deep-layer shear for supercells capable of very large hail. Storms are expected to persist well into the evening as they spread eastward into parts of Upper MI and much of northern/central WI. The risk of rather widespread damaging winds will increase across this area. Given the favorable environment and consistent 12z model signals, have upgraded portions of this area to ENH. ...Rockies and High Plains... Similar to yesterday, scattered high-based showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over the high terrain of CO northward into much of WY and MT. Fast westerly flow and steep low-level lapse rates will promote a risk of damaging wind gusts in some of these storms. As activity spreads eastward into the Plains, a few more robust updrafts may also produce large hail. Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0220 PM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023 Valid 281200Z - 291200Z No major changes will be made to the current outlook. Elevated fire-weather conditions are possible across the northern Great Basin and lee of the cascades with dry and breezy winds. A few thunderstorms are also possible overnight into D3/Saturday. The highest confidence areas for storms will be across parts of eastern OR and WA where weak elevated buoyancy is forecast. Little to no wetting rainfall is expected, but storm coverage should remain low. See the prior discussion for additional information. ..Lyons.. 07/27/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0200 AM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023/ ...Synopsis... A mid-level trough will amplify along the West Coast as upper ridging intensifies over the Interior West tomorrow/Friday. Similar to Day 1, dry downslope flow should continue along the lee of the higher terrain. 15+ mph sustained west-southwesterly surface winds should overlap with 15 percent RH by afternoon peak heating, warranting the introduction of Elevated highlights. Thunderstorms will also be possible ahead of the trough and north of the upper ridge across the northern Rockies. Similar to previous days, any lightning strikes that can occur in dry fuel beds may encourage fire starts, potentially exacerbated by erratic, gusty winds. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC 1730Z Day 2 Outlook
Day 2 Convective Outlook CORR 1 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1241 PM CDT Thu Jul 27 2023 Valid 281200Z - 291200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IOWA INTO THE SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES... CORRECTED FOR SUMMARY ...SUMMARY... Widely scattered severe thunderstorms are possible on Friday and Friday night across a large portion of the Midwest. ...Synopsis... Moderate to strong mid-level winds will remain along the northern periphery of an upper-level ridge. This flow will be confined to the northern Plains into the upper Midwest, though some amplification of the ridge could push moderate mid-level flow into the lower Great Lakes as well. A surface boundary will extend from the northern Plains into parts of the upper Midwest. A surface low is forecast to deepen slightly in the mid-Missouri Valley. Convective outflow and potential MCVs will also be present, but the location of these features is a bit uncertain. ...Lower Great Lakes/Midwest... Convection within the upper Mississippi Valley on Thursday night into Friday morning will play a role in how convection evolves during Friday afternoon. Guidance is variable in the placement of the outflow/MCV from this activity. However, the general consensus places these features within southern Wisconsin into parts of the upper Ohio Valley. South of the outflow, strong buoyancy is expected to develop. Shear will be strongest along and north of the boundary and decrease with southward extent. Forcing for ascent will generally be nebulous outside of areas impacted by the MCV. The expectation is for a cluster or two of storms to develop and progress eastward/southeastward into the MLCAPE reservoir. Large hail would be possible with initial activity before upscale growth occurs and severe/damaging winds would become the primary threat. A corridor of greater severe wind potential could develop given the clustering and strong instability, but uncertainty in the placement of boundaries and the eventual convective evolution precludes an increase in probabilities. Convection developing within parts of Montana may be ongoing at the beginning of the period. This activity and associated MCV could potentially intensify if it is able to progress into the greater buoyancy within South Dakota/Nebraska. This activity would also pose a risk of primarily strong/damaging winds and isolated large hail possible as well. Confidence in this scenario is also too low for any increase in wind probabilities. ...Southwest Montana... Stronger mid-level winds will persist across the northern Rockies. Convection is likely to develop within the higher terrain. Steep low and mid-level lapse rates will allow for strong wind gusts to reach the surface. Marginally severe hail will also be possible. ...Northern Maine... Strong westerly mid to high-level flow accompanying the aforementioned speed max will overspread the region during the day. It appears at least marginal destabilization will occur with surface dewpoints well into the 60s. A band of storms along a frontal zone will probably push eastward into Maine during the afternoon/early evening. Isolated severe gusts are the primary hazard. ..Wendt.. 07/27/2023 Read more

000
ABPZ20 KNHC 271736
TWOEP

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1100 AM PDT Thu Jul 27 2023

For the eastern North Pacific...east of 140 degrees west longitude:

Offshore of Southern Mexico:
An area of low pressure could form off the coast of southern Mexico
over the weekend to early next week. Thereafter, some gradual
development of this system is possible and a tropical depression
could form while it moves generally west-northwestward at 10 to 15
mph, roughly parallel to the coasts of southern and southwestern
Mexico.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...medium...40 percent.

$$
Forecaster Bucci

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte called on the federal government to recognize 11 counties as primary natural disaster areas. The 11 counties include Flathead, Lincoln, Glacier, Toole, Sanders, Lake, Pondera, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sheridan and were affected by moderate to severe drought. KECI-TV NBC 13 Missoula (Mont.), July 25, 2023

Stage III water restrictions were enacted in Victoria to conserve water. Sparse rainfall and low water flow in the Guadalupe River limited how much water the city can pump from the river. The aim was to reduce water usage by 10%. Crossroads Today (Victoria, Texas), July 26, 2023

Missouri’s Drought Assessment Committee met on Tuesday, July 25 as drought continued. Eight fish kills have occurred across the state, due to low water and reduced oxygen in the water. Record-breaking cattle sales continue to take place at sale barns. At a livestock barn in Calloway County, a sale lasted more than 27 hours and sold more than 5,000 head of cattle for the barn’s largest sale in its history. Conditions are right for aflatoxin in the corn crop, according to the deputy director for the Department of Agriculture. Feed businesses will need to monitor very closely for the toxin because it can be fatal for livestock. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warned that navigation on the Mississippi River could be affected by low water levels within weeks. Flows were about average in mid-May, but fell after that. The Department of Agriculture offers a mental health resource for those in the farming community. The AgriStress hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Producers can call or text 833-897-2474 to speak to a healthcare professional. FOX 2 Now (St. Louis, Mo.), July 26, 2023

MD 1732 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH UNLIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL WYOMING
Mesoscale Discussion 1732 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0446 PM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023 Areas affected...portions of central Wyoming Concerning...Severe potential...Watch unlikely Valid 262146Z - 262315Z Probability of Watch Issuance...5 percent SUMMARY...A few more severe gusts may occur with ongoing storms across central WY. The severe threat should remain isolated and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch issuance is unlikely. DISCUSSION...A semi-organized cluster of pulse-cellular storms have produced measured severe gusts over the past few hours and is poised to progress eastward atop a heated, well-mixed boundary layer. MRMS mosaic radar imagery shows a slight increase in the intensity of storm cores, and 21Z mesoanalysis shows boundary-layer lapse rates exceeding 9.8 C/km in some locales. As such, severe gusts should remain a concern through the rest of the afternoon until boundary-layer stabilization sets in during the evening. Severe gusts should by isolated, so a WW issuance is not expected. ..Squitieri/Grams.. 07/26/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...UNR...CYS...RIW... LAT...LON 43580850 44010820 44230733 44340545 44180486 43500473 42780532 42420630 42310691 42340756 42330789 42520804 43580850 Read more

MD 1731 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH UNLIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH DAKOTA...AND NEBRASKA
Mesoscale Discussion 1731 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0431 PM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023 Areas affected...portions of central North Dakota...South Dakota...and Nebraska Concerning...Severe potential...Watch unlikely Valid 262131Z - 262300Z Probability of Watch Issuance...20 percent SUMMARY...A risk for isolated severe gusts/hail exists this afternoon with the stronger storms that can sustain themselves. A WW issuance is not currently anticipated. DISCUSSION...Strong boundary-layer heating and broad surface lee troughing is supporting the development of isolated, high-based supercells across the northern Plains. 100 F surface temperatures amid low 50s-60s F dewpoints (40-50 F T/Td spreads) preceding the supercells are contributing to 9+ C/km boundary-layer lapse rates. While 7-8 C/km mid-level lapse rates and 40+ kts of effective bulk shear (driven by elongated hodographs) suggest that mid-level updraft rotation and hail potential exists, the deep and hot boundary layer may promote sufficient melting of hail as well as evaporation of rain to support a severe gust threat through the remainder of the afternoon. Given the isolated nature of the storms and their severe threat, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch issuance is not currently expected. ..Squitieri/Grams.. 07/26/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...FSD...ABR...GID...BIS...LBF...UNR... LAT...LON 40540075 44300160 46410163 47560055 47700001 47279933 46529886 45329848 43919845 42499860 41539886 40889919 40429954 40540075 Read more

WW 0551 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 551 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 20 WNW MFD TO 35 ESE MTC TO 15 SW OSC. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 1728 ..WEINMAN..07/26/23 ATTN...WFO...DTX...CLE... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 551 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS MIC063-151-262240- MI . MICHIGAN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE HURON SANILAC OHC007-035-043-055-077-085-093-103-262240- OH . OHIO COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ASHTABULA CUYAHOGA ERIE GEAUGA HURON LAKE LORAIN MEDINA PAC039-049-262240- PA . PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 551 SEVERE TSTM MI OH LE LH 261805Z - 262300Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 551 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 205 PM EDT Wed Jul 26 2023 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southeast Lower Michigan Northern Ohio Lake Erie Lake Huron * Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 205 PM until 700 PM EDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible SUMMARY...Several fast-moving clusters of thunderstorms will track across the watch area this afternoon. The strongest cells will pose a risk of damaging wind gusts and some hail. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles east and west of a line from 20 miles north of Bad Axe MI to 40 miles west southwest of Cleveland OH. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 550... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 27040. ...Hart Read more

MD 1729 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH POSSIBLE FOR NORTHEASTERN COLORADO...FAR SOUTHEASTERN WYOMING...FAR SOUTHWESTERN NEBRASKA...NORTHWESTERN KANSAS
Mesoscale Discussion 1729 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0337 PM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023 Areas affected...northeastern Colorado...far southeastern Wyoming...far southwestern Nebraska...northwestern Kansas Concerning...Severe potential...Watch possible Valid 262037Z - 262230Z Probability of Watch Issuance...60 percent SUMMARY...Severe potential increasing into the afternoon/evening. DISCUSSION...Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing across the Front Range and areas just west and south of the Denver Metro. Dew points within this region are generally in the mid 40s to 50s. High-based convection is expected to gradually shift into the plains through the evening, where a more moist and unstable air mass is available. This may lead to a more organized severe threat later for northeastern Colorado/far southeastern Wyoming persisting into southwestern Nebraska and northwestern Kansas later this evening. The main threats would be damaging winds, given "inverted V" thermodynamic profiles. Hodographs are generally straight with deep layer shear around 40 kts which may support a few isolated instances of large hail early on. Trends will be monitored for potential watch issuance over the next few hours. ..Thornton/Hart.. 07/26/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...LBF...GLD...PUB...BOU...CYS... LAT...LON 39530518 40060541 40500555 40700557 40990554 41170528 41290472 41330402 41340345 41310280 41250216 41110177 40910133 40600097 40120067 39790057 39460060 39420062 38960088 38700117 38670145 38620178 38600312 38540348 38520383 38530407 38630430 38800463 38960485 39530518 Read more

SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0302 PM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023 Valid 262000Z - 271200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES REGION... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorm gusts remain possible this afternoon and evening for parts of the southern Great Lakes, along with occasional large hail. Severe gusts also are possible over parts of the central High Plains this afternoon. ...20Z Update... The primary changes to the ongoing forecast were to reduce wind probabilities in the wake of convection, trim severe probabilities behind the shortwave trough in the Upper Midwest along with minor changes to the general thunderstorm area. The remainder of forecast remains on track with additional thunderstorm development possible in the southern Great Lakes region as the low-level jet intensifies later today/tonight. ..Wendt.. 07/26/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1109 AM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023/ ...Lower MI and Vicinity... Multiple strong/severe MCSs are ongoing this morning over western Lower MI, Lake MI, and southern WI. Two lead bowing clusters of convection over western Lower MI will likely continue to track quickly eastward today into a progressively more unstable air mass. Dewpoints in the mid/upper 60s and relatively strong heating will yield afternoon MLCAPE values over 2000 J/kg. Mid-level lapse rates are not particularly steep, but rather strong winds aloft and mesoscale organization of these clusters will help to pose a risk of damaging winds across much of central/eastern Lower MI through the afternoon. The potential also exists for a few supercells to form ahead of the main bowing structures, posing a risk of hail and a few tornadoes as well. Behind the lead convection, another bowing MCS is moving across southwest WI. These storms are closer to the mid-level vorticity center and even stronger winds aloft. It is unclear how much destabilization can occur in the wake of the lead storms, but it seems plausible that this cluster will also pose a severe risk through much of the afternoon and evening, traversing a similar track as the southern lead bowing structure. ...UT to CO/KS/NE... A corridor of sufficient mid-level moisture is expected to result in scattered high-based showers and thunderstorms from parts of UT into northern CO and southern WY today. As the storms over the CO mountains spread eastward into the plains, they will encounter an increasingly moist and unstable air mass. A few of these storms may become severe by late afternoon/evening with damaging winds being the main concern. ...Southern AZ... Several 12z HREF members show a cluster of thunderstorms developing over the higher terrain of southern AZ and spreading northwestward during the evening. If this scenario unfolds, strong wind gusts could affect the region. Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0210 PM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023 Valid 271200Z - 281200Z The previous forecast remains valid with only minor adjustments for the latest guidance. A few hours of dry and breezy conditions are possible from the southern Cascades to the northern Great Basin. A few thunderstorms are also possible early in the morning and again in the afternoon. However, lightning coverage will be low. Please see the prior discussion for more information. ..Lyons.. 07/26/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0107 AM CDT Wed Jul 26 2023/ ...Synopsis... Strong mid-level flow will traverse the periphery of a stationary upper ridge (centered over the Southern Rockies) and will overspread the northern Great Basin tomorrow/Thursday. By afternoon peak heating, downslope flow along the higher terrain will support 15-20 mph sustained westerly surface winds from the California/Nevada border into the Snake River Plain. Coinciding these breezy surface conditions will be 10-15 percent RH, warranting the introduction of Elevated highlights. Monsoonal moisture associated with the upper ridge will support another day of scattered thunderstorms over the Rockies. Any strikes that can occur in patchy dry fuel beds will support a localized wildfire-spread threat. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

Pumpkin vines in Knoxville were not growing or setting fruit as quickly as desired, due to drought. KNIA KRIS (Knoxville, Iowa), July 24, 2023

WW 0550 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 550 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..WEINMAN..07/26/23 ATTN...WFO...IWX...GRR... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 550 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS INC039-087-091-141-151-261940- IN . INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ELKHART LAGRANGE LA PORTE ST. JOSEPH STEUBEN MIC005-015-021-023-025-027-035-037-045-057-059-065-067-073-075- 077-081-085-105-107-117-121-123-127-133-139-149-159-261940- MI . MICHIGAN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ALLEGAN BARRY BERRIEN BRANCH CALHOUN CASS CLARE CLINTON EATON GRATIOT HILLSDALE INGHAM IONIA ISABELLA JACKSON KALAMAZOO KENT LAKE MASON MECOSTA MONTCALM MUSKEGON NEWAYGO OCEANA OSCEOLA OTTAWA ST. JOSEPH VAN BUREN Read more

Missouri ranchers continued to sell cattle herds as drought limited grass growth. Some corn growers were cutting stunted corn early for cattle feed. Missouri ranks third in the country for beef production after Texas and Oklahoma. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Online (Mo.), July 25, 2023

The Army Corps of Engineers initiated a drought watch for the Mississippi River and was closely monitoring water levels as drought persisted. Flooding was an issue in April, but the lack of rain since then has the corps making sure that there was adequate water in the lock channels for ships to pass. KTTC-TV Rochester (Minn.), July 25, 2023