Eastern Cornbelt:

Illinois was bracing for much warmer weather late in the week, with highs climbing from the 60s on April 26 to the 80s by the weekend. The surge of warm air was also expected to spark some thunderstorms, however, with forecasts warning of strong to severe storms on April 28.

Cool weather and spotty showers were reported across Indiana for the first half of the week, with frost reported in northern Indiana after midweek lows dropped to the 20s and highs struggled to reach the 40s and 50s. Much warmer weather was on tap for the coming weekend, however, with highs in the 70s and 80s expected across the state.

A frost advisory was also in effect for much of northern Ohio on April 25-26 after a cold front brought frequent showers to the region, with highs only reaching the 40s at midweek. A freeze warning extended across much of Michigan as well, with temperatures dropping to the mid- to upper-20s late in the week.

Illinois growers had 11% of the corn and soybeans planted by April 21, compared with 2% in Indiana and 1% in Michigan. Ohio growers had 27% of the oats planted by that date but had yet to register any planting progress on corn and soybeans.

Western Cornbelt:

Most of Iowa and Nebraska were at risk for severe thunderstorms on April 26, with forecasts warning of large hail, damaging winds, and tornado activity. The unsettled weather was expected to continue into the weekend. Much of Missouri was also bracing for a stormy weekend, with heavy rain expected in some locations.

Corn planting as of April 21 had progressed to 47% complete in Missouri, 13% in Iowa, and 6% in Nebraska, with soybean planting estimated at 16% in Missouri, 8% in Iowa, and 2% in Nebraska. Missouri growers also had 56% of the rice and 3% of the cotton planted by that date, while oats planting had progressed to 71-78% complete in Nebraska and Iowa.

Southern Plains:

Forecasts warned of severe weather for much of western Kansas late on April 25, including large hail, damaging winds, and a high potential for tornadoes. The warning also extended down into Oklahoma and western Texas, with baseball-sized hail possible from multiple bands of supercells moving through the region on April 25-27.

Kansas growers had 1% of the sorghum, 6% of the soybeans, and 26% of the corn planted by April 21, with corn planting estimated at 1% complete in Colorado and 68% in Texas. Texas growers also had 16% of the cotton and 60% of the sorghum planted by that date.

“We’ve had lots of heat for April, no rain and a lot of wind that has dried things out,” reported one Kansas source at midweek. “Wheat has gone backwards from a potential outstanding crop to below average, and in some areas it is past recovery.”

South Central:

Scattered showers were reported in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky at midweek, along with cooler temperatures. Lows dipped to the freezing mark in some parts of Kentucky, but much warmer weather was on tap as the week progressed.

Potentially severe weather was in the forecast for parts of Arkansas late in the week, with forecasts warning of high winds, hail, and the threat of tornadoes on April 26. Another round of severe weather was possible in central and northern Arkansas again on April 28.

Corn planting was 31% complete in Tennessee and 23% in Kentucky by April 21, with soybean planting tracking ahead of the average pace at 43% complete in Arkansas, 42% in Louisiana, 28% in Mississippi, 17% in Tennessee, and 14% in Kentucky. Arkansas growers also had 6% of the cotton planted by that date, compared with 5% in Louisiana and 1% in Mississippi and Tennessee.

Rice planting was well advanced in the region by April 21, with progress estimated at 87% complete in Louisiana, 72% in Texas, 67% in Arkansas, and 27% in Mississippi.

Southeast:

Warm, dry weather was reported for much of the Southeast during the week, resulting in a brisk planting pace. “Everything is going on at once it seems,” commented one Carolina source at midweek. “Things are really picking up now with fieldwork,” added another contact.

North Carolina growers had 51% of the corn and 6% of the soybeans planted by April 21, while cotton planting had progressed to 12% complete in Virginia, 4% in Georgia and South Carolina, 3% in Alabama, and 1% in North Carolina. Peanut planting was 11% complete in Florida, 4% in South Carolina, 3% in Georgia, and 1% in Alabama and North Carolina.