Weather

An active weather pattern for parts of the Heartland; flooding & severe southward

Across the Corn Belt, scattered frost was noted again Friday morning in northern sections of Minnesota and Wisconsin.  In fact, cool weather throughout the Midwest is slowing evaporation rates in the wake of recent rainfall, limiting opportunities for large-scale fieldwork.  Corn and soybean planting activities are nearing completion, however, in some drought-affected areas of the western Corn Belt.  By May 18, more than 90% of the corn had been planted in Iowa and Minnesota.

On the Plains, scattered showers have developed in conjunction with a complex low-pressure system emerging from the western U.S.  Aside from isolated, thunderstorm-related complications, such as large hail and high winds, rain is mostly benefiting rangeland, pastures, winter wheat, and recently planted summer crops.  On May 18, one-quarter to one-half of the rangeland and pastures were rated in very poor to poor condition in several states, including Nebraska (48%), Montana (45%), South Dakota (26%), and Texas (26%).

In the South, thunderstorms in parts of southern and eastern Texas signal the approach of a new storm system.  Meanwhile, cooler air continues to infiltrate the South, with lingering heat and humidity confined to areas from Texas to the southern Atlantic Coast.  Despite the temporary return to mostly dry weather, pockets of excessive wetness continue to hamper fieldwork.

In the West, dry weather favors late-spring fieldwork.  Lingering cool weather is limited to parts of California and the Northwest, while heat has developed in the Southwest.  Additionally, an elevated wildfire threat exists in portions of the Four Corners States, due to gusty winds, low humidity levels, and drought-cured fuels.