Weather

A wide-range of temps across the Heartland; unseasonably mild for some

Across the Corn Belt, patchy precipitation in the Great Lakes region is gradually ending.  A tight, north-to-south temperature gradient exists across the Midwest, with Tuesday’s high temperatures expected to remain below 20°F in the Red River Valley of the North—but reach 70°F or higher in much of southern Missouri.  Cold-season drought continues to affect various parts of the Corn Belt, most notably from central Illinois into northwestern Ohio.

On the Plains, cold weather is limited to northern Montana and parts of North Dakota.  Meanwhile, dry weather accompanies record-setting warmth across the central and southern Plains.  Tuesday’s maximum temperatures will reach 80°F or higher in parts of Texas.  Winter wheat lacks a protective snow cover, but weather challenges to this point in the season have been mostly limited to drought—mainly in southern wheat production areas—and a few high-wind events.

In the South, spring-like weather favors outdoor activities, including farm maintenance.  However, drought-related impacts—including poor pasture conditions and limited surface water supplies—are affecting several areas, including southern Texas and portions of the Southeast.

In the West, most areas are experiencing a lull between storms, although some precipitation is falling from northern California to the northern Rockies.  However, much of California is bracing for an impending Pacific storm, laden with moisture and bearing high winds.  Most of the West continues to report significantly above-normal temperatures, though cooler air will arrive with the upcoming storm system.