Northern Plains and Upper Midwestern hay growers can expect a long, cold spring, while those in much of the Southern U.S., Northeast and Pacific Northwest can anticipate warmer, dry weather. The Far West looks to stay in drought’s devastating grip.
So predicts Brad Rippey, ag meteorologist for USDA.
Spring may be a little slow in coming this year in the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains – with cold temperatures much like last year’s, Rippey says. “The indications are that the cold weather, which has been so persistent in that part of the country this winter, may hold on throughout the spring and even into the early summer.”
Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University Extension climatologist, is less sure. He points out that last year’s early season weather was nearly identical to that of 1947.
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