Weather - General
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.
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.
Strong winds, above-average warmth and months of worsening dryness created a “perfect recipe” for wildfires across the Southern Plains, scorching pasture and farmland — with little moisture relief in the forecast.
To create a safe and comfortable work environment for your farm employees, it’s important to address the specific challenges cold weather brings to the farm.
How quickly will La Niña exit this year, and when will El Niño enter the picture? Not all meteorologists agree with NOAA or one another, but the timing could have a major impact on weather this spring and summer.
2026 Weather Outlook: La Niña’s Quick Exit, El Niño’s Potential and the Signals Farmers Should Watch
Meteorologists predict a quick La Niña exit, with a 75% chance of transitioning to ENSO-neutral by Jan-March. Expect neutral conditions to persist through at least late spring with a growing chance of El Niño in 2026.
Leading ag meteorologists share the weather drivers they are watching.
The Climate Prediction Center says there’s a 71% chance of La Niña conditions developing from October through December, while also issuing a La Niña Watch. However, one meteorologist expects La Niña to make a quick exit.
The Midwest has been inundated with rain, heat, oppressive humidity and “corn sweat”. In fact, meteorologist Ryan Maue says the heat index hit 115°F Sunday night in Iowa — and 20°F to 25°F of that was coming from surrounding corn fields.
Portions of the central Plains, the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic will be in a heat dome by Tuesday. But first, those regions will see thunderstorms and heavy rains this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Obsessing over rain, or the lack of it, is a skill every farmer has mastered. Here are 20 phrases you’ve likely muttered more than once.
The silver lining, meteorologists say, is many farmers and livestock producers in the central and eastern U.S. have had sufficient moisture this spring and milder temperatures headed into summer. For some, that’s about to change.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says climate models have consistently shown a ridge across western North America that could lead to drought development, drought continuation or even drought expansion across portions of the Plains and West.
Record-breaking heat hit areas of the U.S. this week with snow in the forecast for the weekend. As the disparity of moisture plays out, Nutrien’s Eric Snodgrass says he’s still concerned about the risk of drought.
The forecast for May is pointing to a rapid warm up with rains across the drought-stricken Plains, but there’s a drier forecast for the heart of the Corn Belt. One meteorologist is concerned about the amount of dryness entering the picture.
Drew Lerner, founder of World Weather, Inc., says the summer of 1968 had some strong patterns, including a wetter bias in the western and north-central U.S., but drier in most of the Atlantic Coast states and parts of the eastern and southern Midwest.
K-State precision agricultural economist says the Gannon Storm that occurred the weekend of May 10, 2024, and led to an assumed $565 million in losses for Midwestern crop producers was not an anomaly.
Farmers in the upper Plains, northern Plains and Northeast came up short on snow for the 2024/25 season. In some cases, they experienced the winter that wasn’t, now sitting 10" to 30" short on normal snowfall.
Actions steps to take before a wildfire threatens your livestock and property.
ENSO-neutral means conditions could be close to average, but Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s principal atmospheric scientist, says that doesn’t mean the weather will be normal this spring and summer with growing concerns about drought.
Temperatures are expected to be higher next week, and dry conditions are likely to continue in the western Corn Belt. Concerns are building over what lies ahead for spring planting and early crop growth.
Preparing for frigid temperatures can help producers facing inclement weather this calving season.
Long-time meterologist Gary Lezak says he can predict with 91% accuracy significant weather events that will occur for the next seven to eight months. Check out three of the predictions his team shares for this spring.
Be proactive to ease the impact of changing weather patterns and rising temps.
Meteorologists say the active start to January is a sign of what’s ahead with concerns about drought, more cold and a sharp divide in areas of the country seeing too much moisture versus not enough.
As 2024 comes to an end, roughly 70% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought and dryness. What does that mean for 2025? According to one meteorologist, in six of the past 10 years with a really dry fall, the spring to follow was also dry.
Get ready for the months ahead to look a lot different than last year.