The National Weather Service (NWS) 90-day forecast calls for elevated chances of above-normal temps and below-normal precip across most of the Southern Plains for November through January. There are “equal chances” for above, below- and average temps and precip across northern HRW production areas and most of the major SRW states during the period. The extended outlook offers little hope for any meaningful improvement to conditions for U.S. winter wheat production areas.
The outlook also offers little hope for major improvements for low water levels on the lower Mississippi River, as that area is expected to be the hottest and driest compared to normal.
The Seasonal Drought Outlook indicates drought will persist or develop across most areas of the Plains, Delta and Southeast, though there could be some improvement in the Ohio River Valley.