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It may be too early to start talking drought, but dryness is expanding across parts of the corn belt as we head into the growing season. 

April precipitation was 1 to 2 inches below average from eastern South Dakota and Nebraska through much of Iowa into southwest Wisconsin.

When expressed as a percentage of average precipitation, much of the western half of the corn belt recorded just 10 to 50 percent of average precipitation in April.

Forecast: Little rain in Iowa next 10 days?

The weather maps for the next two weeks seem to favor continued dryness for parts of the corn belt. The Canadian and European models suggest significant rainfall across parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, but continued dryness centered on Iowa over the next 10 days.

Keep in mind that weather forecast models can change on a dime in the one-to-two week range. A rain system could easily evolve across the corn belt int he next two weeks. But for now, the dry trend appears ready to persist.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center favors continued dryness in the eight- to 14-day forecast.

The monthly outlook for May also shows a dry signal across the Upper Midwest.

The persistent dry signals portend continued dryness, and possibly drought development in parts of the Upper Midwest in the next month.

As we move into the summer season much of the corn belt averages about an inch of rain per week. If May stays dry as the trends suggest, parts of the corn belt may be looking hard for moisture by June.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

It’s a dry start to the growing season for much of Iowa and the corn belt.

April rainfall deficit across the Upper Midwest.

Midwest Regional Climate Center via NWS Sioux Falls

Percent of average April rainfall across the Upper Midwest

Midwest Regional Climate Center

Canadian model precipitation output for the next 10 days

Corn belt trending dry heading into growing season

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