Weather

Cool weather lingers over the eastern Corn Belt; warmer weather returning to much of the Plains

Across the Corn Belt, lingering frost was noted early Friday in the Great Lakes region, mainly across Wisconsin and Michigan. Below-normal temperatures also cover the remainder of the Midwest, while isolated rain showers dot the southern Corn Belt. Recently planted Midwestern corn and soybeans have been slow to germinate amid the ongoing cool spell.

On the Plains, mostly dry weather accompanies a warming trend. Producers continue to monitor the impacts of drought and recent temperature extremes on winter wheat, as well as spring-sown crops. On May 5, statewide topsoil moisture in agricultural regions was rated more than one-half very short in each of the region’s states, except North Dakota (24% very short to short) and South Dakota (43%).

In the South, showers and thunderstorms continue and are currently heaviest from the western Gulf Coast region to the Mississippi Delta. The rain is slowing fieldwork but generally providing much-needed moisture for pastures and summer crops. According to the May 5 U.S. Drought Monitor, Extreme to Exceptional Drought (D3 to D4) covers 82% of Florida, along with 81% of Georgia and 79% of South Carolina.

In the West, very warm, dry weather prevails. Friday’s maximum temperatures will exceed 100°F in much of the Desert Southwest. Although rangeland, pastures, and crops in many areas of the West are still benefiting from the recent spell of cool, showery weather, the return of above-normal temperatures is resulting in gradual reductions in topsoil moisture.