News

Forecast for a pretty good growing season

After the slow start to planting in much of the Corn Belt this spring, many farmers are turning their concerns to the weather for the growing season.

Meteorologist Greg Soulje says he’s anticipating a more active rainfall pattern across the northern and eastern Corn Belt this summer.  “Perhaps detrimental rains along with some cool air heading on through the summertime season,” he says.  “Adequate warmth and adequate rains over the rest of the Corn Belt.  The Plains states as well could come up with seasonal temperatures and maybe above seasonal moisture.”

He tells Brownfield the El Nino weather pattern is fading – and Pacific water temperatures are moving to more normal ranges as it transitions to a La Nina.  “Probably late summertime and early to mid-autumn is when we see the transition and maybe some warmer and drier weather that will move crops to maturity and get a good start to the harvest season,” he says.  “It’s the middle to late harvest time is where we see signs of some cold and weather storm and an early winter storm and an active weather pattern in regards to precip and harvest delays.”

Soulje says his models aren’t showing any major weather related issues this summer.

AUDIO: Greg Soulje