Drought continues to expand in the Plains

The March 24^th drought monitor shows 77.1% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 1.3% from the previous week, with 56.2% in D1 level drought or higher, up 1.4%. Currently 41% (unchanged) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 42% (unchanged) of soybean acres, and 57% (up 2%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 57% (up 3%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 32% (unchanged) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Much warmer than normal temperatures and high winds dominated most of the western and central U.S. last week, resulting in increased drought conditions. The conditions helped to spur the Morrill Fire in Nebraska, that has consumed over 800,000 acres. This is a stark contrast to the Northwest and Upper Midwest portions of the country which saw plentiful precipitation, with the far reaches of the northern Great Lakes even receiving a late-season blizzard.

The National Weather Service expects a majority of the U.S. to continue to see unseasonably warm weather next week, with parts of the central U.S. seeing temperatures 20 to 40 degrees above average. A storm system currently located off the west coast is expected to arrive in the Pacific Northwest, dumping large amounts of rainfall. The system is expected to weaken as it approaches the central U.S., before ultimately being reinvigorated as it reaches the eastern corn belt states, potentially offering drought relief.

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