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Drought situation improves across the Midwest

A USDA climatologist says the drought continues to improve across the Midwest after getting much-needed moisture at the end of 2022. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor says a one-to-three-inch rain in the last week led to a broad one category improvement in the middle Mississippi and Ohio River Valley. Midwest Climate Hub Director Dennis Todey says there are a few exceptions.

“The Indiana, Ohio and Michigan areas have missed out on moisture and the Plains still have a serious drought going on.”

Todey say La Nina is winding down after three years, but is playing a role in winter weather.

“It looks like it should weaken relatively quickly so by the time we get to spring, the La Nina impacts should be minimal, if not at all. We need to be looking at what’s ahead after that.”

Todey tells Brownfield the spring weather outlook is more uncertain without a La Nina or El Nino in effect.