Eastern Cornbelt:
Strong storms moved through the Eastern Cornbelt late in the week, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds, and large hail to some areas. At least one tornado touched down in Indiana’s Jefferson County, causing structural damage and power outages. A tornado watch was also posted for several Ohio counties late on March 14.
Drier weather was on tap for the weekend, though wet conditions limited fieldwork in the region at mid-month. Sources reported some ammonia application taking place in southern Illinois and in parts of Kentucky during the week, but most areas were stalled as this week’s storms worked their way through the region.
Western Cornbelt:
Thunderstorms brought rain to much of Iowa at midweek, with precipitation totals ranging from a half inch to nearly two inches in some locations. Drier weather was on tap for the weekend, but a cold front was expected to drop temperatures into the 40s across the state.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect for parts of Missouri at midweek, with reports of large hail northeast of Kansas City. A severe thunderstorm watch was also in effect along the Nebraska-Kansas border on March 13-14.
Southern Plains:
Strong storms churned through the Southern Plains on March 13-14, generating tornados and large hail in some locations.
Hailstones ranging in size from golf balls to softballs hit parts of central, north-central, and eastern Kansas late on March 13, with unconfirmed reports of at least three tornadoes in several Kansas counties.
Tornado watches were also in effect for numerous counties in southern and eastern Oklahoma at midweek, with reports of hail and 70 mph winds in some locations. Forecasts warned of large hail, damaging winds, and periods of heavy rain in northern Texas as well.
New Mexico saw periods of rain and snow across northern, western, and central parts of the state at midweek, with more widespread precipitation expected in northeastern areas of New Mexico late in the week.
South Central:
After highs reached the 70s and low-80s for most of the week, much of the South Central region was bracing for severe weather on March 14-15.
A slow-moving cold front was expected to bring potentially strong thunderstorms to central and northern Arkansas on March 14, with forecasts warning of large hail, heavy rain, and damaging winds. The same system was taking aim at Tennessee and southern Kentucky late in the day and extending into March 15.
Louisiana and Mississippi were also expecting stormy weather as the week progressed, with 2-4 inches of rain possible in central and southern Mississippi, prompting flood watches for some locations. Both states were also at risk for damaging winds, hail, and possible tornados on March 15-16.
Southeast:
Warm, dry weather was reported over much of the Southeast during the week, with highs reaching the 80s in many locations and even touching the 90s in southern Florida.
An approaching cold front was expected to usher in precipitation as the week advanced, however, followed by much cooler weather. Forecasts in Virginia warned of wind chills in the teens and 20s by March 19-20.
Spring fieldwork and fertilizer application was off to a brisk start in the region, though wet conditions slowed the pace late in the week. “Pasture and hay land are being fertilized, small grains are starting to be topdressed, and by next week everything should be rolling,” said one Carolina contact at midweek.
Several sources said they expect corn acreage to be down this spring in the region due to low crop prices, with peanuts and cotton taking up the slack.