national weather service
Prospects rise for strong El Niño that peaks this winter
Drought blossoms in upper Midwest and northern Plains
Most of Minnesota -- 88 percent -- is in moderate drought, a dramatic expansion from 6 percent a week ago, says the Drought Monitor. Record-high temperatures accelerated dryness.
Winter outlook-Drought in Plains, California and Northwest
Drought will persist or intensify during winter in Washington state, Oregon and the northern two-thirds of California as well as the wheat-growing southern Plains, forecasts the National Weather Service.
Wetter than normal outlook for Farm Belt, Northwest
The National Weather Service forecasts more precipitation than usual in the Midwest, the Plains and the Pacific Northwest for late April, which could delay spring planting but relieve dry conditions in the western Corn Belt and the central and southern Plains.
El Nino likely by summer or fall, could aid dry crop areas
The National Weather Service sees an increased likelihood of an El Nino weather pattern developing by this summer and through the rest of the year.