Weather
Spring-like warmth expands on much of the Plains
Across the Corn Belt, warmth continues to build northward. Later Tuesday, temperatures should reach 70°F or higher as far north as western Iowa and southern South Dakota. In contrast, chilly conditions linger across the northern Corn Belt. High temperatures will remain mostly below 32°F from the Red River Valley of the North into the upper Great Lakes region. Elsewhere, lowland flooding lingers in parts of the lower Midwest, following a wet February.
On the Plains, sudden warmth is further reducing topsoil moisture and increasing stress on rangeland, pastures, and winter grains, following last week’s cold spell. Tuesday’s high temperatures should reach 75°F or higher as far north as the central Plains. On February 27, three-quarters (75%) of the winter wheat in Texas was rated in very poor to poor condition, along with 65% in Oklahoma and 38% in Kansas. On the same date, topsoil moisture was rated 76% very short to short in Texas, along with 75% in Oklahoma and 80% in Kansas.
In the South, warm weather has replaced previously cool conditions, leading to an acceleration of fieldwork and crop development. Planting activities are underway across the Deep South, with 5% of Texas’ statewide intended corn acreage planted by February 27. On that date, 13% of the winter wheat in Texas had headed, ahead of the 5-year average of 6%. In Florida, where 57% of the pastures are rated very poor to poor, dryness is hampering recovery from earlier frosts.
In the West, heavy rain and melting snow are leading to significant river rises across western Washington—an area that has endured multiple rounds of flooding since mid-November 2021. Moderate flooding is occurring early today along portions of the Skokomish and Snoqualmie Rivers. Rain extends inland across the northern Rockies, with snow limited to higher elevations. The remainder of the West is experiencing warm, dry weather.