Weather

Mild weather for December across the Heartland

On the Plains, some light snow is developing across the Dakotas. Farther south, however, mild, dry conditions on the central and southern Plains are maintaining severe stress on rangeland, pastures, and winter wheat.

Across the Corn Belt, unusually mild weather prevails. Rain is disrupting off-season fieldwork in parts of the southern and eastern Corn Belt. Some of the heaviest rain is falling in the Ohio Valley.

In the South, patchy showers are developing. Otherwise, mild weather is promoting winter wheat planting and late-season harvest activities.

In the West, dry weather continues in California, but rangeland, pastures, and winter grains are benefiting from recent soil moisture improvements. Generally favorable conditions also prevail in the Northwest, where rain and snow showers continue. Meanwhile, mild, dry weather is promoting late-season Southwestern fieldwork.