The 90-day forecast from the National Weather Service calls for elevated chances for above-normal temps over the entire U.S. through August. The precip outlook calls for increased odds of below-normal rainfall over most of the western Corn Belt and Plains during the period. There are “equal chances” for normal, above-normal and below-normal precip from eastern Iowa through most of the eastern Corn Belt. Above-normal rainfall is likely across the Southeast and East Coast through summer.
As of May 13, the Drought Monitor showed 55% of the U.S. was covered by abnormal dryness/drought, down one percentage point from the previous week. USDA estimated D1-D4 drought conditions covered 23% of the U.S. winter wheat crop (up one point), 22% of corn area (up two points), 17% of soybeans (up two points), 38% of spring wheat (up one point) and 8% of cotton production areas (down 14 points).
Across major corn, soybean, wheat and cotton states, dryness/drought covered 61% of Iowa (no D3 or D4), 55% of Illinois (no D3 or D4), 37% of Indiana (no D3 or D4), 83% of Minnesota (no D3 or D4), 100% of Nebraska (13% D3, no D4), 100% of South Dakota (3% D3, no D4), 73% of North Dakota (6% D3, no D4), 82% of Kansas (no D3 or D4), 70% of Colorado (5% D3, no D4), 52% of Texas (23% D3 or D4), 16% of Oklahoma (no D3 or D4), 4% of Tennessee (no D3 or D4), 43% of Wisconsin (no D3 or D4) and 27% of Michigan (no D3 or D4). No measurable dryness/drought was reported for Ohio, Kentucky or Arkansas.
The Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for drought to persist or develop across the much of the western Corn Belt and Plains through August. Timeliness of summer rainfall will be key in these areas.
