USDA’s Joint Ag Weather Facility says on the Plains, very cold weather prevails, with sub-zero temperatures noted from Kansas northward. “The frigid, breezy conditions are stressing livestock and resu lting in dangerously low wind chill temperatures,” USDA reports. Snow is providing some protection for winter wheat on the northern and central Plains, although coverage is patchy, USDA notes. “Current snow depths include 4 inches in Great Falls, Montana, and 2 inches in Wichita, Kansas,” it elaborates.
In the West, USDA says mild weather in California contrasts with near- to below-normal temperatures farther inland. “Dry weather prevails throughout the West, increasing concerns about summer water supplies in areas—such as California and the Great Basin—moving deeper into a third consecutive year of drought,” USDA explains.
In the Corn Belt, USDA says a life-threatening cold outbreak is underway. “This morning’s low temperatures generally ranged from -30°F in the far upper Midwest to near 0°F in the Ohio Valley,” USDA explains. Gusty winds accompany the bitter cold, resulting in dangerously low wind chill temperatures, USDA adds. “In the eastern Corn Belt, a deep snow cover is insulating winter wheat, but blowing and drifting s now is stressing livestock and hampering travel,” according to USDA.
In the South, USDA reports an Arctic cold front is crossing the Atlantic Coast states, accompanied by a few rain showers. “In the front’s wake, hard freeze warnings are in effect this morning from eastern Texas into the central Gulf Coast region,” USDA continues. However, temperatures remain above freezing in Deep South Texas and across Florida’s peninsula, USDA adds.
In its outlook, USDA says dangerously cold weather from the Plains to the East Coast will lose its punch as the week progresses. “Today will feature the Midwest’s harshest cold, followed on Tuesday by the East’s lowest temperatures,” USDA explains. On Jan. 7, sub-zero temperatures can be expected again as far south as the Ozark Plateau, with readings below 0°F also likely in the Appalachians, USDA elaborates. Frigid weather will persist through mid-week in the upper Midwest, where readings below -30°F will linger through Jan. 8, USDA continues. “Rapid warming will occur during the second half of the week, with above-normal temperatures expected in the eastern half of the U.S. by Jan. 10,” USDA reports. Significant precipitation will be scarce, except in the Northeast (today) and Northwest (starting tomorrow), USDA explains.
