NOAA Spring Forecast: Dry for Southern Plains, Western US

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s spring forecast looks dry for the western Corn Belt and the US southern Plains, where more moisture is needed. 

Released Thursday, the forecast for temperature, precipitation, drought, and flooding for the coming months indicates that drought development is likely across the central and southern Plains, where much of the American Hard Red Winter crop is grown (see map below).  

Meanwhile, much of the western U.S. is favoured to receive below-average precipitation, with drought expected to persist across much of North Dakota and Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, along with the northwestern corner of Iowa. That may speed planting could impact early crop development.  

In contrast, above normal precipitation is forecast in the Great Lakes region, which could slow spring planting 

Above-average spring temperatures are also likely across much of the US, including locations that experienced colder-than-average temperatures and unusual snowfall during the winter. Included in that is the central Plains from Nebraska southward, including No. 1 winter wheat producer Kansas.