CPC: No Drought Relief in Southern Plains
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has issued its extended weather forecasts. The outlook for December calls for below-normal precip and above-normal temps across the Central and Southern Plains. Below-normal precip is also expected in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, with Iowa and the western Corn Belt having equal chances for normal, below- or above-normal precip.
The CPC's outlook for December through February is similar for the Southern Plains, calling for warmer- and drier-than-usual conditions to continue through the winter. As a result of the extended dryness, the Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for persistence of drought in the southern half of Kansas southward, with drought expected to develop in portions of northern Kansas into northern Missouri, as well as eastern Nebraska, southern Missouri and northwest Iowa.
"Climate anomalies associated with La Nina winters were closely considered both for the U.S. Drought Outlook and the CPC monthly and seasonal guidance," states CPC. "Ongoing drought conditions across the southern tier of U.S. states are expected to persist or worsen, with drought development likely across the Florida Peninsula and portions of the desert Southwest."
Check the following links for maps of forecasts:
Juli says: This is not a friendly forecast for hard red winter wheat or for cattle producers in the Southern Plains. No relief to drought this winter means HRW wheat will come out of dormancy in tough shape and water needs will be high. It also means cattle producers will be hard pressed to maintain herds.
