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October ends with record temps

An ag meteorologist says the early start to harvest because of dry conditions was a blessing for many farmers.

Brownfield’s Greg Soulje says some locations in October likely set temperature records ahead of widespread rains which have brought many combines to a standstill.

“We’re in a delay mode and it will probably stay that way for the rest of the week, maybe into the weekend,” he says.

Soulje says a change is coming in the next week to shut off precipitation and let harvest continue.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we ultimately tipped the scales on an ultimately wetter and warmer October across the area and thank goodness those rains came later in the month,” he says.

To start November, Soulje is forecasting cooler temperatures with a chance of snow of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northern Cornbelt which should help finish out the harvest.