As 2023 continues, drought conditions throughout most of the Midwest region have cleared up. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday, April 6, drought stress in the Midwest only remains in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, and Iowa. Recent precipitation continues to alleviate drought stress in the region, however, it’s come alongside hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds.
A wide line of storms struck the Midwest on March 31 and April 4, according to the National Weather Service. Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan says it's unusual to have such severe weather just days apart and spanning such a wide geography.
IOWA
In Iowa, the recent storms brought almost 20 tornadoes on March 31, along with isolated pockets of monster hail on April 4. Glisan says, though, “These events happened before any planters were rolling, so besides field work delays where heavier rain totals were found, I don’t see widespread delays on the horizon.”
The third week of April shows temperature outlooks with high probabilities of warmer than average conditions, Glisan notes, “... will be vital in getting soil temperatures to above 50° F. Once farmers see a window to get going, I think we’re going to see a lot of planters out and about.”
Statewide, drought conditions are essentially unchanged from the March 28 U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly 38% of the state is reporting no drought stress. Just over 30% of the state is being affected by abnormally dry conditions, while D1 moderate drought is being reported in over 16% of the state. Last year at this time, only 2% of the state experienced D2 severe drought conditions, compared to 14% of the state experiencing the same conditions this year. Additionally, a year ago, the state of Iowa was free of D3 extreme drought or D4 exceptional drought conditions. Now, nearly 2% of the state is facing D3 and D4 conditions in 2023.
Despite the recent precipitation, D4 conditions are persistent in portions of Woodbury and Monona counties.
MICHIGAN
Drought stress in Michigan has subsided from the beginning of 2023 according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Just under 3% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with the remainder of the state free of drought stress. USDA’s Crop Progress and Condition Report released on April 3 for Michigan indicates persistent wet conditions have delayed the start of planting across most of the state, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Services.
The report also mentions that winter wheat has yet to break dormancy across much of Michigan.
MISSOURI
Similar to Michigan, drought conditions in Missouri improved throughout the first quarter of the year. According to the Jan. 3 U.S. Drought Monitor, only 50% of the state reported no drought stress. Drought free acreage has expanded to over 91% of the state, according to the latest drought monitor.
Only 8% of Michigan is now experiencing abnormally dry conditions, and less than 2% of the state is reporting D1 moderate drought. A sliver of Vernon and Barton counties along the Kansas border reported D2 severe drought conditions.
According to USDA’s Crop Progress and Condition Report for Missouri released on April 3, topsoil moisture supplies rated 1% very short, 3% short, 81% adequate and 15% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 11% short, 78% adequate, and 9% surplus. Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 22% fair, 73% good, and 2% excellent in Missouri.
Source: agriculture.com
Photo Credit: istock-SpVVK
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Wheat, Government & Policy, Weather