As winter begins, there’s a lack of moisture across the Northern Plains. The soil moisture will need a recharge going into spring. “It looks like most soils are frozen in North Dakota, so there’s probably not much of a chance to get a soil recharge right now, but it’s always good to get snow on the landscape,” said Dennis Todey, director, USDA Midwest Climate Hub.
There’s been minimal snowfall so far. In the near term, there doesn’t look like there’s much of a change. “We’re also looking at what La Nina may bring and what that means in the winter. The long-range outlook does hint at the pattern getting more active eventually.” Todey said there is still time for soil moisture to recharge.
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