U.S. government forecasters signal La Niña has ended and ENSO-neutral conditions are expected through spring and early summer. But the extended weather forecast from the National Weather Service continues to indicate La Niña-like weather will persist through June. The 90-day forecast for the April-June period calls for above-normal temps over the Southern Plains, and nearly the entire eastern half of the country. Below-normal temps are expected across the northwestern Corn Belt, with “equal chances” for above-, below- and normal temps through the central Corn Belt. The 90-day precip forecast shows elevated odds of below-normal rainfall over the southwestern Plains, with above-normal rains likely from the eastern halves of Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri eastward across the eastern Corn Belt and Mid-South. There are “equal chances” for precip across much of the western Corn Belt and Central Plains during the 90-day period.
If the forecast verifies, it would suggest drought will persist in key HRW wheat areas, while spring planting may be slowed in the Northern Plains/northwestern Corn Belt. The bulk of the Corn Belt should experience favorable planting conditions as long as rains aren’t too heavy in eastern areas.