Rain, drought highlight different growing areas
Drought in Western Prairies, U.S. Southern Plains
River or overland flooding can cut off access to feed and/or water sources for livestock. (NDSU photo)
By Glen Hallick, WeatherFarm
WINNIPEG, May 8 (WeatherFarm) – Depending on which region you’re in, you could be stuck in a severe drought or facing rains that will help alleviate that dryness or push back when fields should be dry enough to begin spring planting. That’s the assessment from Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather Inc. in Overland Park, Kansas.
While the western half of the Canadian Prairies will remain in a drought, Lerner said that isn’t the case for the eastern half of the region. He explained the outlook that portion of the Prairies called for improved rains in the summer.
“May has always stood out being an anomalously drier month and it’s verifying that very well,” Lerner commented, stating he’s quite encouraged by the prospects for rain during the balance of the month.
As for large portions of Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan, the meteorologist noted he doesn’t see an end of the drought to come anytime soon.
“It’s going to take a while for it to go away,” he stressed.
As for the United States Northern Plains, significant portions of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota were having a difficult time drying out this spring. He said excessive snowfall led to flooding in a number of areas, however such was not as bad as expected due to a lack of frost in the ground, which helped to absorb the excess moisture.
“But they got rain over the weekend and they will get more rain coming up this week. So that will obviously further prolong the drying that is so badly needed,” Lerner said, estimating planting in the area should start during the third week of May.
The story for the Southern Plains, which remains mired in a severe drought, could improve a little he said.
“There’s going to be a wetter scenario playing out a little bit later this week,” as he forecast scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Lerner pointed to Oklahoma and Texas at likely to get the best rains. Meanwhile Kansas, Colorado and perhaps a part of Nebraska should see some precipitation in the coming days.
