Weather - General
Record heat, a rare Pacific hurricane triplet, and a wobbly South American monsoon are the latest signs of a historic El Niño, and Nutrien’s Eric Snodgrass says it’s about to squeeze this fall’s harvest window, too.
Crop conditions came in better than analyst expectations
NOAA officially declared El Niño on Thursday and says the climate pattern has a 63% chance of reaching “very strong” status by fall, potentially shaping U.S. weather through harvest and winter.
The U.S. is now below 75% or more abnormally dry for the first time since February
Rains also eased drought intensity in the deep south
A fast-developing El Niño could bring much-needed rain to the Plains, but timing and coverage remain uncertain. Brian Bledsoe explains what a strong event could mean for drought relief.
Milder improvements were also noted in the southern U.S.
A wet, active weather pattern across the Eastern Corn Belt could delay early planting this spring. Meteorologist Matt Griffin says repeated rain events through March and April may keep fields too saturated for fieldwork east of Iowa.
As La Niña Looks to Make One of Its Quickest Exits on Record, Strong El Niño Signals Are Now Brewing
Pacific waters are warming rapidly as La Niña fades. Meteorologists warn the shift could reshape U.S. rainfall, drought conditions and severe weather risk during the 2026 growing season.
From La Niña to El Niño, what does the shifting Pacific mean for your 2026 yields? Atmospheric scientist Matt Reardon leans toward optimism while keeping his eyes on these factors.