Weather

Western, northern Corn Belt digging-out from heavy snowfall

On the Plains, winter wheat continues to benefit from recent soil moisture improvements across central portions of the region. However, milder weather on the High Plains is already initiating some snow-melt.

Across the Corn Belt, cold, breezy weather prevails in the wake of a departing storm, currently centered over the lower Great Lakes region. Widespread snow showers linger across the eastern Corn Belt, while dry weather has returned west of the Mississippi River. Friday early-morning snow depths include 12 inches in Des Moines, Iowa, and over 11 inches in Madison, Wisconsin.

In the South, cool, dry weather prevails. Recent showers and thunderstorms caused local wind damage but provided highly beneficial moisture for Southeastern pastures and winter grains.

In the West, heavy precipitation is falling in parts of northern California, while rain and snow showers dot the Northwest. Scattered freezes were noted this morning in the Desert Southwest, although temperatures were generally not as low as those observed on Thursday.