Weather

Beneficial moisture on the southern High Plains

Across the Corn Belt, cold weather and low soil temperatures continue to limit spring planting activities. In addition, snow remains on the ground across large sections of the northern Corn Belt.

On the Plains, cloudiness is increasing in advance of an approaching storm system. Any rain that developed later Friday on the southern High Plains may be too late for some drought-damaged wheat but should aid wildfire containment efforts and slightly improve topsoil moisture in preparation for spring planting.

In the South, dry weather favors fieldwork in much of the region, but producers across the interior Southeast continue to monitor winter wheat, blooming fruits, and emerged summer crops for signs of freeze injury.

In the West, scattered rain and snow showers in the Four Corners States are providing limited drought relief. In Arizona, rangeland and pastures were rated 86% very poor to poor on April 15, compared to the 5-year average of 30%. In addition, statewide reservoir storage is significantly below average in Arizona and New Mexico, with little snowpack left to provide spring and summer runoff.

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