Forecast
Almost perfect – but not quite. That’s how many Midwest farmers would describe the weather so far in April. Temperatures have been amenable, but precipitation has put more than a few planting schedules on pause.
But fieldwork is gradually picking back up in the southern Corn Belt.
On the other hand, mild air is spreading across the western Belt, bringing along the chance of showers and thunderstorms.
But dry, warmer weather should help farmers get back into the fields in western areas of the Midwest.
On the other hand, conditions are cool, cloudy and rainy from the Ohio Valley to the lower Great Lakes region, keeping fieldwork at a standstill.
Some parts of the eastern Corn Belt are still struggling to get back into the field due to cool soils and lingering wetness.
But dry weather currently prevails in these areas.
This will contrast with cool air in eastern and western areas of the country.
Significant rain is currently slowing planting efforts in the Upper Midwest.
USDA reports that heavy rain from southern Missouri to Indiana could lead to additional flooding and fieldwork delays.