Midwest Weekly Highlights - October 17-23, 2008

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First Snowflakes of the Year

A potent storm system tracked from the Great Plains to the Midwest this week, bringing a taste of winter to the region with snowfall in Minnesota and much cooler temperatures across the region (Figure 1). Precipitation through the period was confined primarily to parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.  Northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota saw as much as 700% of normal precipitation, while parts of central Wisconsin and southern Indiana and Ohio saw no rain this week (Figure 2). As much as 2.5 to 3 inches of rain was seen on October 23rd across parts of northwestern Iowa and western Missouri (Figure 3). The Midwest saw its first snow of the season as areas of southwest Minnesota received snow and accumulations of up to an inch with the storm (Figure 4).

Most areas east of the Mississippi River were dry this week and general saw less than 25% of normal rain.  The October 21 U.S. Drought Monitor noted the relief provided by rains in southern Minnesota, as Moderate (D1) drought replaced the Severe (D2) drought which was seen last week (Figure 5).  Little change was noted elsewhere in the region, and parts of Kentucky remained in the Extreme (D3) drought category this week.

In a stark contrast to last week that saw above normal temperatures, temperatures this week were anywhere from 1°F to 6°F below normal across much of the region (Figure 6).  The only area of above normal temperatures was across extreme northwest Minnesota.    
 

Weather Puts Farmers Behind Schedule

With winter quickly approaching, corn harvesting was behind schedule across nearly all of the Midwest.  The corn harvest in Illinois was as much as 44% behind the 5 year average.  The only state ahead of schedule was Ohio, where 37% was harvested compared to a 5 year average of 29%.  The soybean harvest was also behind for most of the region, but Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana were actually ahead of schedule. .

AB