Parts of the southern U.S. have finally shaken off years of drought, thanks to a steady string of storms.
One meteorologist says that Oklahoma and neighboring states have seen historic rainfall that wiped out drought conditions.
According to Matt Makens, “Absolutely, it is remarkable. We’ll see how those drought numbers pan out over the next few weeks, with some of these hot days finally building back in here. But it all kind of started in late October or early November when that real soaker came through. It got the soil moist. They stayed that way through winter, for the most part, and that was kind of a good catalyst to get this season going, and it clearly was a was a gravy train, if you will, from Amariollo all the way through here, out to the east, of just progressive storm after storm after storm with this rainfall.”
He says it is the wettest year on record across much of Oklahoma and a large swath of the Southern Plains, but as fall approaches, he warns dry conditions could return, especially if La Niña strengthens.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold explains how springtime brings seasonal changes to agricultural operations and, with them, renewed concerns about safety, allergies, and mental health this week on Rural Health Matters.
April 22, 2026 03:49 PM
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Louisiana State University Professor Shelly Pate Kerns says a late freeze forced widespread replanting of some crops across the state.
April 21, 2026 03:37 PM
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Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to discuss the latest crop progress report and how market uncertainty and input costs are shaping planting decisions this spring.
April 21, 2026 12:00 PM
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Jarrod Hardke with the University of Arkansas break down extreme drought conditions, shifting planting decisions, and the impact of rising input costs on Arkansas agriculture this season.
April 20, 2026 04:32 PM
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Louisiana farmers say high water levels routinely threaten crops, highlighting the need for critical infrastructure and sustainability efforts in the Bayou.
April 20, 2026 03:37 PM
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Effort aims to reduce wildfire risk in Western Colorado communities
April 20, 2026 02:31 PM
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