Weather

A late-season chill grips most of the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, chilly, breezy weather prevails in the wake of a departing cold front. Lingering snow showers are confined to the upper Great Lakes region. Wednesday morning’s temperatures fell below 20° in parts of the upper Midwest.

On the Plains, cool, dry weather prevails. Wednesday morning’s minimum temperatures locally fell below 10° in the Dakotas and dipped to 32° or lower as far south as Texas’ northern panhandle. However, temperatures were not low enough to significantly threaten winter wheat, which on March 28 was reported to be 45% jointing in Oklahoma and 12% jointing in Colorado. Farther north, cold weather and lighter winds are aiding containment efforts for several wildfires, including the Schroeder Fire near Rapid City, South Dakota.

On the Plains, cool, dry weather prevails. Wednesday morning’s minimum temperatures locally fell below 10° in the Dakotas and dipped to 32° or lower as far south as Texas’ northern panhandle. However, temperatures were not low enough to significantly threaten winter wheat, which on March 28 was reported to be 45% jointing in Oklahoma and 12% jointing in Colorado. Farther north, cold weather and lighter winds are aiding containment efforts for several wildfires, including the Schroeder Fire near Rapid City, South Dakota.

In the West, warmth continues in California and the Desert Southwest—and is slowly expanding across other areas. Dry weather throughout the region favors spring fieldwork. In Arizona, 26% of the intended cotton acreage had been planted by March 28, compared to the 5-year average of 18%. However, the Southwest is also contending with punishing drought; 91% of Arizona’s rangeland and pastures are rated in very poor to poor condition.