NWS: Warm spring, varied precip outlook

The National Weather Service 90-day forecast continues to give elevated odds of above-normal temps and below-normal precip across the Southern Plains through June. As a result, drought conditions are expected to persist across HRW production areas. The highest probability of hot, dry conditions is centered over the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas.

With the extended forecast dashing any hope of meaningful drought relief for HRW areas, spring rains will need to be timely.

Above-normal temps are also expected across all but the northwestern portion of the country through June. A bubble of above-normal precip is forecast for the eastern Corn Belt. There are “equal chances” for precip across the central and northwestern Corn Belt.

The extended forecast suggests spring planting should be rather rapid, especially in the western Corn Belt and South, though moisture shortages could leave crops in need of timely summer rainfall.