Soil moisture remains above normal to excessive across the U.S. agriculture belts BUT below normal precipitation the past 90+ days centered on the Corn Belt especially in April is leading to easing of the wet soils (and this pattern may continue).

An intense upper trough over the Tennessee Valley shifts east slowly causing more severe storms in the Southeast and excessive rainfall Mid-Atlantic and Northeast States. Flood watch areas are posted for the entire Mid-Atlantic region.

Forecast confidence is increasing in regard to negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole developing for Australian winter which supports a wet climate across most Australian crop areas.

Forecast trend of many operational forecast models is too lift the excessive rainfall/flash flood and severe weather pattern established across the Gulf region farther north to the Midwest U.S. extending to the Northeast Corridor to finish April and begin the month of May.