Drought Monitor

This is the latest drought monitor from the National Weather Service. A very large part of the prime corn, soybean and wheat growing areas of the United States are in some form of drought. The light yellow indicates abnormally dry, brown more severe and the red is exceptional drought. Since last fall I have been watching each updated drought monitor, There is no question the dry areas are intensifying and expanding.

This is a factor we need to keep an eye on as we move toward spring. However, apparently you cannot read too much into the current drought monitor. I did hear that there is very little correlation between a drought in the winter continuing into the next growing season. If you are going to get a drought the best time to get it is the winter when no crops are growing! Even if history shows no correlation between drought in the winter and the next growing season looking at the map is a little concerning!