Weather

Picture-perfect November weather for the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, record-breaking warmth continues to promote final corn and soybean harvesting across the upper Midwest, where Friday’s high temperatures should range from 70 to 80°. Warm, dry weather also prevails across the remainder of the Corn Belt, favoring winter wheat growth and summer crop harvesting. On November 1, the only Midwestern States behind the 5-year average harvest pace for soybeans were Missouri (60% harvested) and Ohio (77%).

On the Plains, record-setting warmth follows the recent historic cold wave. For example, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, set a monthly record with high temperatures of 81° on November 5, following a monthly record low of -10° on October 27. The sudden warmth is promoting winter wheat growth, except in areas where soil moisture shortages are limiting crop establishment. Warm, dry weather also favors harvesting of crops such as cotton, sorghum, and sunflowers.

In the South, isolated showers are occurring along the southern Atlantic Coast. Elsewhere, warm, dry weather is nearly ideal for previously delayed fieldwork, including winter wheat planting and cotton, peanut, and soybean harvesting.

In the West, a significant pattern change is underway, as markedly cooler air is arriving in the Pacific Coast States. In addition, rain and snow showers are overspreading the Northwest, extending as far south as the northern tier of California. Farther inland, warm, dry weather lingers, despite an increase in cloudiness.