Eastern Cornbelt:
Wintry weather was reported across the Eastern Cornbelt in late January. A storm system brought freezing rain to central Illinois and up to six inches of snow in northern areas of the state on Jan. 26, while another system blanketed parts of central and southern Indiana with 1-3 inches of snow at midweek.
Ohio also got a taste of winter during the week, with multiple bands of lake-effect snow working their way through northern areas of the state as the week progressed.
Western Cornbelt:
A powerful winter storm on Jan. 25-26 dumped more than a foot of snow on parts of Iowa and Nebraska, with Des Moines collecting 12.6 inches and many areas across southern Nebraska seeing anywhere from 8-16 inches of snow.
Large sections of central and southern Iowa were under a winter storm warning early in the week. A winter weather advisory was also in effect at midweek for parts of western Missouri, with up to 2-3 inches of snow expected in some locations in the state.
Southern Plains:
Blustery weather was reported across much of the Southern Plains in late January. A winter weather advisory was in effect for eastern Kansas at midweek, with up to two inches of snow expected in some areas and heavier amounts reported along the Kansas-Nebraska border.
Two separate storm systems also brought cold temperatures and snow to New Mexico during the week, while high-wind warnings were posted for western Texas at midweek. Sources in Oklahoma reported wet conditions at midweek, with a dusting of snow possible in some northern counties as the week progressed.
Sources said the winter precipitation is needed in many areas, with central Texas sources reporting conditions “on the dry side” in late January. One Texas contact said seed corn is being delivered to the farm in parts of the state, with the “early birds” planning to start planting in another 2-3 weeks, provided the region gets more needed moisture.
South Central:
A winter weather advisory was in effect at midweek for parts of southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, with up to an inch of snow expected in some locations after frequent snow flurries. Temperatures in the upper-30s and low-40s were reported across Louisiana and Mississippi during the week.
Southeast:
Storms were moving through much of the Southeast as the week progressed. Strong thunderstorms were reported in western Alabama on Jan. 25, with scattered showers and gusty winds working their way across northern Georgia on Jan. 26.
A weak tornado was reported in the Tallahassee, Fla., area on Jan. 27, while temperatures across southern Florida climbed to the mid-80s.
Parts of North Carolina and Virginia, by contrast, were hit with freezing rain and up to five inches of snow at midweek. Forecasts warned of heavy accumulation in the North Carolina mountains, while most of the Piedmont received cold rain with chilly temperatures. Local news confirmed widespread power outages across southern Virginia on Jan. 28.
Sources reported some winter application taking place on fruit and vegetables, along with topdress applications on winter wheat in some locations.