Expect a rapid transition to winter thanks to La Nina

News

Expect a rapid transition to winter thanks to La Nina

An ag meteorologist warns farmers to expect an abrupt transition to winter this year in line with the La Nina forecast.

Brownfield’s Greg Soulje says while October looks good for fieldwork, all bets are off come November, “Going from almost this summer like warmth to an early winter chill, in monopoly terms without passing GO or collecting $200.”

As usual, colder weather will start in the plains and Soulje says livestock producers need to be one step ahead.  “Feed, shelters and other requirements need to be ready sooner than usual.”

He says the pattern will then follow up in the corn belt, “Generally starting warm and wet and then going to mixed moisture and cold then snow in a fairly rapid transition within a week or two time frame.”

And a harsher winter is expected further south as well, including the delta region.

“Probably a higher frequency and number of frost and freeze events as far south as central Florida. There may be the usual suspect areas of snow and ice deeper into the wintertime season for the Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic region but probably even a colder than average weather pattern there.”

He says any precipitation that can soak in the ground ahead of the first freeze event will be welcome in both areas of drought and moisture laden soils.

.