Weather
Rains return to parts of the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, a chilly rain is falling in the Great Lakes region, further slowing spring fieldwork in Michigan and parts of neighboring states. Michigan’s sugarbeet planting had not yet begun by April 9, compared to the 5-year average of 18%.
On the Plains, showers and a few thunderstorms extend southward from southwestern Kansas into Texas. The rain is further improving the southern High Plains’ drought situation. In contrast, very warm, dry weather on the northern High Plains favors winter wheat development and early-season pasture growth.
In the South, warm, dry weather is ideal for fieldwork and crop development, except in areas experiencing drought. In particular, drought continues to worsen across much of Florida’s peninsula, where agricultural irrigation demands remain heavy and several large wildfires have flared in recent days.
In the West, ongoing showers and below-normal temperatures in northern California and the Northwest are limiting spring fieldwork. In contrast, warm, dry, breezy weather prevails in the Four Corners States, where there is an elevated risk of wildfires.
Forecast High Temperatures (National)
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