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University of Missouri weather expert predicts wet, mild summer, better yields

University of Missouri weather expert Tony Lupo predicts a relatively wet and mild summer for Missouri and much of the Midwest.  The atmospheric science professor tells Brownfield Ag News conditions for the summer are going to be decent.

“Decent in terms of mild conditions and of course the regular occurrence of rain,” said Lupo, in an interview Wednesday with Brownfield Ag News.  “Not those large gully washers that we often see in the summer season.”

The reason for his forecast is the projected El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which will be better for the region’s farmers.

“When we’re transitioning into El Niño we seem to see better yields, and a study that we’ve published recently has borne this out,” he said.

Weather has made an abrupt change in the last couple of weeks to frequent gentle rain, recharging subsoil moisture.

AUDIO: Tony Lupo (4 min. MP3)