The latest drought monitor was released today and it shows above normal precipitation was a common theme across the country this week.
As you can see on the map, colors are slowly shifting lighter, meaning easing of extreme and severe drought conditions. Producers in the Southeast as well as the Midwest all received record rainfall, but the West and Northern Plains had a break from precipitation. Temperatures were also above normal this week, with areas east of the Missouri River five to fifteen degrees warmer.
A storm system is expected to continue for farmers in the Northern and Southern half of the country today through the weekend. USDA Meteorologist, Brad Rippey, shares what impacts farm country could face in the North.
“The main concern is blizzard conditions midweek across the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota. Calving and lambing is just getting underway across the north even as far north as Montana and other parts of the Northern Plains. We’re not into the heart of the season yet, but there are concerns for the young and newborn animals across the Northern Plains as we do expect to see high winds and light to moderate amounts of snow.”
Rippey says the storm expected for Southern producers is actually more impressive, with more moisture and a longer path. He hopes the snow and rainfall will help farmers in the South and the High Plains which are in the worst levels of drought.
