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Delayed planting expected, especially in southern Illinois

A spokesman for the Illinois Climatologist’s office says it is accurate to expect planting delays this spring, especially in the southern part of the state.

“The soil moisture levels across Illinois are in the 90^th percentile or higher and this has been the case for the majority of the winter season.”

Brian Kerschner says there has been a seemingly endless pattern of storms across the state with more than an inch of rain above average for February. He says the greatest flooding concerns have been south of Interstate 70.

“Fortunately, in the near future forecasts are showing a slight shift in the overall flow pattern. What this will do is concentrate the heaviest precipitation south of the state in the coming weeks. So, this is welcome news for southern Illinois and their flooding concerns.”

But even with the shift, he says Illinois farmers south of Interstate 70 should still pay close attention to future forecasts.