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Forecast Calls For Wet Midwestern Winter, Bringing Farmers Better Soil Conditions

Grant Gerlock
/
Harvest Public Media file photo

Forecasters say the El Nino weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean should lead to slightly warmer and wetter conditions across the Midwest this winter. That’s good news for some farmers who struggled with drought over the summer.

"It’s been an odd year. Missouri and Kansas have seen some pretty serious drought conditions, while other states have seen a lot of rain this fall,” Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan said.

He added that the El Nino weather pattern over the Pacific Ocean suggests the region is in for average to slightly above temperatures.

University of Missouri atmospheric science professor Tony Lupo predicted that most of the Midwest, especially Missouri, Kansas and the Dakotas, will see more snow than usual in the coming months.

“When it melts it usually soaks into the ground, and that of course helps to alleviate some of the dry conditions, or even recharge the soil for next year,” Lupo said.

Tony Lupo is a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Missouri.
Credit University of Missouri
Tony Lupo is a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Missouri.

He also pointed to heavy rains in October that “put a huge dent in the drought conditions.”

As the winter progresses, forecasters will get a better sense of how long the El Nino pattern will continue and how intense it will be. Glisan said that will help determine what the spring forecast will look like for the Midwest.

But, he said, the winter outlook with more rain and snow is encouraging.

“It will definitely help the next growing season,” Glisan said.

The news isn’t entirely good, though: Glisan said there are pockets, including eastern Illinois and western Indiana, that may see slightly lower-than-average levels of precipitation.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @jonathanahl

Copyright 2018 Harvest Public Media

Jonathan Ahl joined Iowa Public Radio as News Director in July 2008. He leads the news and talk show teams in field reporting, feature reporting, audio documentaries, and talk show content. With more than 17 years in public media, Jonathan is a nationally award-winning reporter that has worked at public radio stations in Macomb, Springfield and Peoria, IL. He served WCBU-FM in Peoria as news director before coming to Iowa. He also served as a part-time instructor at Bradley University teaching journalism and writing courses. Jonathan is currently serving a second term as president of PRNDI ââ
Jonathan Ahl
Jonathan Ahl reports from Missouri for Harvest Public Media. He also is the Rolla Reporter for St. Louis Public Radio. Before coming to St. Louis Public Radio in November of 2018, Jonathan was the General Manager for Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, Illinois. He previously was the News Director at Iowa Public Radio and before that at WCBU in Peoria, Illinois. Jonathan has also held reporting positions in central Illinois for public radio stations. Jonathan is originally from the Chicago area. He has a B.A. in Music Theory and Composition from Western Illinois University and an M.A. in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He is an avid long distance runner, semi-professional saxophonist and die-hard Chicago Cubs fan.