La Niña-influenced winter outlook

The National Weather Service’s (NWS) 90-day forecast gives elevated odds of above-normal temps and below-normal precip across HRW areas of the Southern Plains. Below-normal precip is likely over nearly all of Texas, the western half of Oklahoma and southern Colorado. NWS says Kansas will likely see above-normal temps but gives “equal chances” for above-, below- and normal precip during the three-month period. Nebraska has “equal chances” for temps and precip during the January through March period.

Above-normal temps and precip are likely over much of SRW wheat areas during the three-month period.

Above-normal precip and below-normal temps are expected across white winter wheat producing states in the Pacific Northwest.

This forecast offers little hope for improvement in conditions of the HRW crop through winter, meaning the need for timely rains next spring will be critical.