Weather

A brief lull in the active weather pattern that covers the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, cool, dry weather prevails between storm systems.  Snow remains on the ground across much of the northern Corn Belt, with the most extensive coverage focused across Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas.

On the Plains, cloudiness is increasing in advance of an approaching storm system.  In addition, light snow is developing across the northern High Plains, including parts of Montana.  Meanwhile, critically dry conditions persist across roughly the southern half of the High Plains.  In Texas, where statewide topsoil moisture was rated 70% very short to short on March 12, more than two-thirds (68%) of the rangeland and pastures were rated in very poor to poor condition. 

In the South, Freeze Warnings were in effect again Wednesday morning as far south as Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.  Producers in those areas continue to monitor fruit crops and winter grains for signs of freeze injury.  Meanwhile, beneficial showers are gradually ending across Florida’s peninsula, where statewide topsoil moisture was rated 54% very short to short on March 12.

In the West, mostly dry weather has returned across northern and central California, although flooding persists along many waterways.  Early Wednesday, the focus for heavy precipitation has shifted across southern California, the southern Great Basin, and the Desert Southwest, leading to flash flooding and debris flows.