USDA’s Joint Ag Weather Facility says in the Corn Belt, rain is returning to parts of Missouri, maintaining flood concerns or bringing renewed flooding. “Farther north, a frost advisory is in effect early today across much of Wisconsin, eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois,” USDA reports. Despite the cool conditions, some planting activities are occurring across the upper Midwest in anticipation of warmer weather, USDA continues.
In the West, USDA reports sudden warmth prevails in the Pacific Coast States, allowing previously delayed fieldwork to advance. “Chilly conditions linger, however, in the central and southern Rockies,” it adds.
On the Plains, USDA says showers have returned to central portions of the region. “Some of the heaviest rain is falling across northern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas,” USDA details. Cool weather covers all of the nation’s mid-section, slowing a previously rapid rate of winter wheat development, according to USDA.
In the South, mild, dry weather is promoting fieldwork and crop development, except in areas — such as northeastern Arkansas — where lowland flooding continues, according to USDA. “In addition, a few showers are developing in the western Gulf Coast region,” USDA details.
In its five-day outlook, says showery weather has quickly returned to the nation’s mid-section, with rain expected to expand in coverage and intensity as a storm system slowly moves from the southern Plains into the Northeast during the next several days. “As a result, five-day rainfall totals could reach 1 to 4 inches from the middle and lower Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic Seaboard,” USDA details. The rain will prolong flood issues in the middle Mississippi Valley and environs, and could introduce flooding to the central Gulf Coast region, it explains. During the weekend, USDA says showery, cooler weather will return to the West. “Meanwhile, warmth will continue to spread eastward across the Rockies and Plains, but chilly weather will prevail into next week across the eastern U.S.,” USDA continues.
