Weather

A warming trend underway across the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, although slightly warmer weather prevails, frost was reported again Friday morning in a few areas, mainly across Michigan and Wisconsin. A few rain showers have developed west of the Mississippi River. On May 9, statewide topsoil moisture was rated at least one-third very short to short in Minnesota (44%) and Iowa (37%).

On the Plains, mild, mostly dry weather is ideal for spring fieldwork. A few rain showers have developed, however, across the central Plains. Warmer weather is returning across the southern High Plains, where drought remains entrenched and Friday’s high temperatures should generally range from 80 to 85°. Serious drought concerns also persist across the northern Plains; topsoil moisture on May 9 was rated 80% very short to short in North Dakota, along with 67% in South Dakota and 57% in Montana.

In the South, lingering rain showers are confined to the southern tip of Florida. Elsewhere, sunny weather favors planting operations and other spring fieldwork, although below-normal temperatures are causing minor crop developmental delays.

In the West, warm, dry weather prevails, despite an increase in cloudiness across the northern half of the region. Dry conditions favor fieldwork, but drought continues to deepen its grip as snow melts early; reservoirs receive little replenishment; soils lose more moisture; and irrigation demands increase.