Weather
Severe weather expected on the Great Plains
Across the Corn Belt, showers and thunderstorms are overspreading the northern tier of the region, from Minnesota to Michigan, slowing a previously torrid planting pace. In Minnesota, nearly half (49%) of the intended corn acreage was planted during the week ending May 14, along with 45% of the sugarbeets and 43% of the soybeans. Meanwhile, previously stalled fieldwork is gradually accelerating in the southern Corn Belt.
On the Plains, a disturbance crossing the northern half of the region is producing widespread showers and slowing a previously rapid planting pace. During the week ending May 14, one-quarter of North Dakota’s intended soybean acreage was planted, along with 27% of the spring wheat and 35% of the corn. Meanwhile, mild, breezy weather prevails across central and southern Plains.
In the South, warm, dry weather is ideal for fieldwork and crop development. However, concerns include significant short-term drought in the lower Southeast, and pockets of developing dryness and drought west of the Mississippi River—especially in parts of Texas.
In the West, a strong, late-season storm is resulting in very cool weather and widespread showers in the Pacific Northwest. Below-normal temperatures also cover the remainder of the western U.S., maintaining a slow crop development pace. Planting progress remains significantly behind schedule for California crops such as cotton (55% planted on May 14, vs. the 5-year average of 91%) and rice (27% planted vs. the average of 57%).
Forecast High Temperatures (National)
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