As part of the monthly USDA S&D Report, USDA Joint Ag Weather Facility has issued the following weather highlights:
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UNITED STATES: During January, the majority of the U.S. reported above-normal temperatures. Nevertheless, cold weather caused some problems. For example, an early-month freeze damaged some vegetables and other temperature-sensitive crops across Florida’s peninsula on Jan. 4-5. Later, a mid-January cold spell resulted in sub-0°F readings across the northern Plains. At the time of the initial cold blast, the northern High Plains’ winter wheat crop had no protective snow cover. Much of the Plains’ wheat belt also noted drierthan- normal conditions during January, although an early-February snow storm provided much-needed moisture across central portions of the region. In contrast, periods of heavy rain provided some drought relief across the southeastern Plains, including central and northeastern Texas. Farther northeast, slowly developing drought in the upper Midwest contrasted with soggy conditions in parts of the eastern Corn Belt. Meanwhile, drought remained a concern across much of the Deep South and intensified during January in the southern Atlantic region. Elsewhere, drought expanded in the West, particularly from California to the Intermountain region. Areas from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies fared better during January, with periods of heavy rain and snow.
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SOUTH AMERICA: In January and early February, periods of rain in Argentina were insufficient to improve prospects for corn and soybeans. In addition, brief periods of unseasonably hot weather placed additional stress on crops. In Brazil, warmer- and drier-than-normal conditions maintained unfavorable prospects for soybeans and main-season corn in key southern production areas. However, favorable conditions farther north, and favorable planting prospects for the second (safrinha) corn crop, helped to offset potential losses in total national production.
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EUROPE: Above-normal temperatures and precipitation in January across central and northern Europe maintained favorable overwintering conditions for dormant winter grains and oilseeds. However, sharply colder weather arrived in early February, threatening exposed wheat and rapeseed. In Spain, unfavorable dryness continued to reduce soil moisture for winter wheat.
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FSU-WESTERN: In January, seasonably cold weather settled across Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Frequent snowfall provided adequate protection to dormant winter crops from winterkill, while temperatures consistently below freezing reduced the risk of heaving or ice crusting. Bitter cold overspread the region late in the month, although winterkill concerns were generally minor.
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NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Despite pockets of drier-than-normal weather, generally timely showers maintained adequate soil moisture for vegetative winter grains over much of the region. Locally heavy rain returned by early February.
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