More extensive snow cover has the US winter wheat crop in a much better position to withstand an upcoming bout of extreme cold, but some areas remain vulnerable.
As the two maps below show, snow cover as of Jan. 11 was much more widespread and deeper than it was prior to Christmas. Although more recent milder weather is eroding that protection in some parts of the Plains, the added snow cover will be needed as temperatures are forecast to plunge beginning this weekend and into next week. Readings as low as –30 degrees F are forecast early next week on the northern Plains, while sub-0 F readings could extend as far south as the central Plains and Ohio Valley.
However, portions of Nebraska and Kansas – the No. 1 production state - still have little to no snow on the ground, and while the winter wheat crop may be well hardened against the cold, that does not mean there will not be some potential for damage, World Weather warned in a report Friday morning. Minor wheat production areas in the northern Plains and northern Midwest will also be exposed to the bitter cold and could be negatively impacted.
Some snowfall is expected ahead of the coldest temperatures, which may offer the crop further protection.
