Weather

No “White Christmas” for many across the Heartland

On the Plains, dry weather prevails. Mild air is overspreading the northern Plains, but chilly conditions linger across the southern Plains. Wheat continues to overwinter with few major concerns, although emerging dryness could become a problem on the northern Plains, while lingering drought is an issue on the southern Plains.

Across the Corn Belt, slightly cooler air is overspreading eastern portions of the region, where final corn harvest efforts remain largely on hold. In contrast, mild, dry conditions persist in the upper Midwest, where many communities are experiencing a rare holiday season without any snow on the ground.

In the South, a weakening band of showers is crossing the southern Atlantic region. Southeastern row crop harvest activities are largely complete, but some pastures and winter grains are in need of additional rain.

In the West, freeze warnings are in effect this morning for much of California’s Central Valley (and neighboring valleys), where some producers are employing protective measures to guard against injury to citrus and other temperature-sensitive crops. Elsewhere, snow continues to fall in the southern Rockies, while very cold air covers the Southwest.