The November meeting of the Memphis chapter of the American Meteorological Society took place on 16 November 1999 at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in East Memphis. Chairperson Mark Isaminger opened the meeting shortly after 7:00 PM with a discussion of the upcoming national AMS conference. Since only one of the local chapter members may travel to the national conference in January, it was decided that we would not present a chapter poster for this event. Following the discussion, a brief review of the September meeting lead into the topic for this evening's presentation by Mr. Rick Shields, an agricultural meteorologist for Sparks Companies of Memphis.

Mr. Shields provided an interesting and timely presentation on the effects of recent drought conditions in the Mid-South, Mid-Mississippi, and Ohio River Valleys on agricultural interests. He commenced by detailing the precipitation and temperature data for the country beginning in May and moving forward through September. His data showed that the dry conditions seemed to start in the Ohio Valley and Northeast U.S. in late May and June. By July and August, much of the Southland was also drying out, as the Northeast continued to be parched. Parts of the lower Midwest, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, also began to feel the effects of a lack of precipitation by late summer. Copious rainfall on the east coast, as a result of multiple tropical systems in September, significantly aided this part of the country. Meanwhile, the area near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and southward into the Mid-South, had less than 25% of normal rainfall for the period July-September. It was interesting to note that the state of Tennessee had the third driest July/August period of the last 105 years. Temperatures also hindered crop development as extreme warmth in the Mid-South began by late July and continued persistently for about a month. Overall, agricultural interests in the Upper Midwest and Corn Belt did fairly well this year, while crops in our area suffered. Mr. Shields reported that many farmers were not even going to harvest this year and were considering their crops a total loss. This will have a detrimental economic effect on these farmers for many years. Tennessee soybeans had their lowest yield since 1983, and were down about one-third from last year. However, the overall weather pattern favored much of Mississippi as frontal passages seemed to provide more rain to the south of Tennessee, resulting in very little difference in yields as compared to last year.

The meeting closed with a discussion of topics for future meetings, the next being in January, and dues being collected.

Respectfully submitted,
Erik A. Proseus
Secretary / Treasurer

Minutes Approved,
Mark Isaminger
Chairperson