Weather

An active pattern gets underway in the Heartland

On the Plains, unusually cold weather persists from Nebraska northward. Farther south, showers and thunderstorms are developing across the southeastern Plains, but warm, dry, windy conditions persist on the southern High Plains. The southern Plains’ rangeland and pastures, rated 51% very poor to poor in Texas and 43% in Oklahoma—along with jointing to heading winter grains—are in desperate need of moisture.

Across the Corn Belt, warm weather from the Ozark Plateau into the Ohio Valley contrasts with chilly conditions farther north. However, an increase in shower activity accompanies the southern Corn Belt’s warmth.

In the South, warm, mostly dry weather favors an acceleration of previously delayed planting activities. However, showers are developing across the northwestern fringe of the region. On March 30, corn planting was 30% complete in Mississippi (versus the 5-year average of 47%); 28% complete in Texas (vs. 48%) and 18% complete in Arkansas (vs. 30%).

In the West, unsettled, showery weather prevails from California to the Intermountain region, although precipitation is generally light. In California, recent precipitation has not appreciably boosted snowpack but has aided rain-fed rangeland and crops, eased irrigation requirements, and modestly improved reservoir storage.

Morning Low Temperature Plot

Weather Alerts

Forecast High Temperatures (National)

National Snow Cover Map

 

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