Weather
Showers slowing fieldwork in parts of the Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, scattered showers are slowing a previously rapid pace of fieldwork, especially in the Mississippi Valley. By April 17, Missouri led the Midwest with 58% of its intended corn acreage planted, compared to the 5-year average of 21%.
On the Plains, cool weather prevails. Rain showers linger in several areas, particularly across the central High Plains. The recent and ongoing rainfall has generally stabilized winter wheat conditions. Nationally, 57% of the winter wheat was rated good to excellent on April 17, compared with 56% the previous week.
In the South, flooding continues in the western Gulf Coast region, following the April 18 deluge. Monday was the wettest April day on record in Houston, Texas, where rainfall totaled 9.92 inches. Currently, scattered showers are mostly confined to the mid-South, while warm, dry weather favors Southeastern fieldwork.
In the West, record-setting warmth continues in the Pacific Northwest and has begun to expand eastward. On Monday, the high temperature of 89° in Seattle, Washington, shattered the monthly record of 85°, most recently achieved on April 30, 1976. Northwestern winter wheat has already begun to head—1% headed by April 17 in Idaho and Washington. In contrast, snow lingers across the central Rockies.
Forecast High Temperatures (National)
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