Ag Weather Forum

Weather Delays Midwest Fieldwork

Mike Palmerino
By  Mike Palmerino , DTN Senior Ag Meteorologist
The Jetstream models indicate in the six- to 10-day period that disturbances may start to slow down and perhaps provide some rain in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. (Graphics courtesy of Penn State Meteorology)

The weather pattern appear to be tipping its hand as we head into April and the news is not good. Similar to the last few years, it appears that spring will be cool and wet. This is due to the blocking pattern in the high latitudes that we talk so much about in terms of its impact on the middle latitudes; the pattern does not appear to be going away anytime soon.

The only change we may see in the coming weeks would be to shift the block from eastern North America back into western North America. In either case, the impact will be the same in the Midwest. Conditions will be cool and unsettled as disturbances move along the boundary zone between cold weather to the north and warm weather to the south.

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The only good news from this wet pattern would be an increase in precipitation in the Southern Plains winter wheat areas which desperately need moisture. Crop ratings are at rock bottom with only 5% to 10% of the crop rated in good/excellent condition in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The key to this area receiving more moisture would be to slow down disturbances as they move through the region. There are indications in the six- to 10-day period that we may begin to see that take place.

Drought continues to affect late-developing soybeans in much of the major growing area of central Argentina. The next chance for any significant rain will be later in the week. However, there are indications that the disturbance may move through rather quickly and limit significant rainfall.

The rainy season shows no signs of coming to an end in central Brazil. This is very favorable for developing second-crop corn.

Michael Palmerino can be reached at michael.palmerino@dtn.com

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