Tagged: drought

The weather this year isn’t as beneficial to crops as many farmers would like, but it’s far better than last year’s drought. Though the cold weather is delaying planting, farmers are looking at an excellent year if the weather clears up.

Corn is looking to be the worst affected because the planting window is rapidly closing. If the cool weather continues, many farmers will have to consider planting other crops, such as soybeans. 

Dr. Michael Aide, Chair of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University, says the influx of moisture is a boon if it gets warmer.

Eastern Missouri can expect a lot more severe weather this Spring, according to recent weather predictions.

The drought-ravaged states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas are traditionally considered “Tornado Alley.” This, combined with the clash of warm and cold temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, has pushed Tornado Alley towards eastern Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana.

Professor Tony Lupo is Chair of Atmospheric Science at the University of Missouri. He says this is unusual, but not unexpected.

Wet, cool conditions will continue for the time being, according to the National Weather Service.

Mary Lamm is hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah. She says we aren’t in an El Niño or La Niña pattern this year. Rather, the region is mainly being affected by the North Atlantic Oscillation.