Eastern Cornbelt:
Parts of the Eastern Cornbelt were battered by strong storms during the week, with reports of heavy rain, damaging winds, and several confirmed tornadoes.
A band of thunderstorms brought torrential rain to parts of northern Illinois on April 16, while central areas of the state experienced gusty winds and dust storms that prompted the closure of a three-mile stretch of Interstate 72 for several hours.
A tornado watch was posted for parts of northern and central Indiana on April 17, with forecasts warning of strong winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes across the region again late on April 18. Much cooler temperatures were on tap for central Indiana by the weekend, with highs in the mid-50s and lows in the 30s.
Multiple tornado warnings were also in effect for areas of northern Ohio on April 17, with an EF-1 tornado confirmed in Bucyrus, Ohio, that caused significant damage to several homes and businesses in the area.
Wet conditions continued to limit fieldwork in the region. Corn planting was 3% complete in Illinois and 1% in Indiana by April 14, while soybean planting was estimated at 4% complete in Illinois by that date. Ohio growers had 11% of the oats planted by April 14, well behind the 27% five-year average.
Western Cornbelt:
Strong thunderstorms on April 16 spawned several tornadoes in Iowa, Nebraska, and northern Missouri, as well as damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain.
Multiple confirmed tornadoes were reported near the Iowa/Missouri border, with reports of spotty tornado damage in eastern Iowa as well. At least three tornadoes were reported in eastern Nebraska, though all were short-lived and did little damage.
Planting progress continued to track ahead of the five-year average for all crops in the region. Corn planting was 26% complete in Missouri by April 14, compared with 2-4% in Nebraska and Iowa, while soybean planting had progressed to 8% complete in Missouri and 2% in Iowa.
Missouri growers also had 35% of the rice and 2% of the cotton planted by April 14, with oats planting estimated at 66% complete in Iowa and 59% in Nebraska.
Northern Plains:
Cool temperatures and scattered rain and snow showers limited fieldwork in the Northern Plains at mid-month, though planting was underway for corn, soybeans, sugar beets, and oats.
Rain was reported across southern Minnesota as the week progressed, with snow flurries in northern areas of the state. After reaching the 40-50s in Minnesota at midweek, high temperatures were expected to drop to the 30s by April 19-20, with lows in the 20s.
A severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch was in effect on April 16 for parts of southeastern South Dakota, while cool temperatures and scattered snow flurries were reported in North Dakota.
Corn planting as of April 14 was 3% complete in Minnesota and 1% in South Dakota, USDA reported, with soybean planting estimated at just 1% complete in Minnesota. Minnesota growers also had 2% of the sugar beets planted by that date, while oats planting had progressed to 30% complete in South Dakota, 17% in Minnesota, and just 1% in North Dakota. One southern Minnesota source estimated that planting progress was a full month ahead of last year’s pace at this date.
Most fertilizer application activities in the region were stalled by the weather. “We saw a little application over the weekend and Monday but got some rain today and some cooler temps this week, so things probably won’t get running hard until the weekend,” commented one regional source.
Great Lakes:
Severe weather was reported in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan during the week, with forecasts warning of heavy rain, strong winds, and a chance of tornadoes.
A line of thunderstorms brought an inch of rain to parts of southern Wisconsin on April 16, along with 40-50 mph winds and large hail in some locations. Another band of storms hit central and southern Michigan on April 17, bringing heavy downpours, lightning, and 60 mph gusts. Tornado watches and shelter-in-place warnings were also posted for numerous locations.
Wisconsin growers had 1% of the corn and 10% of the oats planted by April 14, USDA reported, while Michigan growers had yet to register any planting progress by that date.
Northeast:
Showers were expected to move through parts of New England late in the week, with the potential for severe weather in some locations.
Strong storms at midweek knocked out power to thousands of Pittsburgh, Pa., residents on April 17, with reports of heavy rain, strong winds, severe thunderstorm warnings, and tornado watches in effect for many communities in southwestern Pennsylvania.
After posting highs in the low-80s earlier in the week, temperatures in eastern New York were expected to drop to the 40s and 50s on April 18-19, with an increased chance of rainfall into the weekend.
Eastern Canada:
Wet weather limited fieldwork in Eastern Canada during the week, though the precipitation alleviated drought and wildfire concerns in some locations.
Multiple rounds of showers were reported across Ontario, pushing Toronto closer to a record level of April rainfall. As of April 15, Toronto had recorded 93.7 mm of rain for the month, approximately 150% of its typical April total of 63 mm. An additional 39.7 mm of rain this month will tie the record of 133.4 mm set in April 1992.
Wet weather also hit Quebec during the week, with light snowfall reported in some parts of the province. Mostly clear and cool weather prevailed over the Maritimes, but weekend rainfall was expected in southern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Growers have been able to plant and apply fertilizer between showers, with estimates that as much as 60-70% of the nitrogen has been applied on wheat in southern Ontario. Very little preplant application has occurred on corn ground, however. “We really have not got started in any big way,” said one regional contact.