The 90-day forecast from the National Weather Service signals increased chances of above-normal precipitation across the eastern half of Kansas, along with most of Texas and Oklahoma through January. Below-normal precip is expected during the 90-day period for northwestern HRW and white winter wheat production areas. Temperatures are expected to trend drier than normal over the roughly northern two-thirds of the country, with the southern third, including most of the Southern Plains, expected to see “equal chances” for normal, above-normal and below-normal temps through January.
As of Oct. 17, USDA estimated 48% of U.S. winter wheat areas were covered by drought.
The Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for improvement or removal of drought across most of the winter wheat states in the southern half of the country through January.