Concerns For Northern Plains Wheat Following Massive Storm

The winter storm that hit much of the central and eastern portions of the United States this week left snow and cold temperatures, sometimes in place where snow and cold temperatures are not normal. 

When it comes to those cold temperatures, there is concern that this storm could have impacted the winter wheat in the northern plains.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said the concern is exposure north of the storm’s footprint.

“Mainly from Nebraska, northwestward into parts of Montana," Rippey said.  "Not much snow, if any, on the ground in some of those winter wheat production areas. We have seen multiple days of sub-zero temperatures in portions of that region. That is an area we'll have to watch moving into spring for areas that may have experienced winter kill. And sometimes that winter kill can be exacerbated by already existing drought-related problems.”

Rippey added any assessment for winter kill will take several weeks, if not a few months.

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