South Dakota Ag Connection - S.D. Climate Update: Cool Start to May

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S.D. Climate Update: Cool Start to May
South Dakota Ag Connection - 04/25/2017

Last week's climate outlook released by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a couple of weeks of cooler weather are ahead for much of South Dakota.

"According to the outlook, South Dakota's planting season temperatures have an equal chance of being warmer, cooler or near average temperatures," said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. "A week or more ago, I would have thought that eastern South Dakota would lean towards warmer temperatures in May but now the forecast is turning cool for the start of the month. So, we may end up near average overall, if the end of May turns warm."

The forecast for cool temperatures, along with a mix of rain and snow across the state, will put a hold on field work for many.

"Wet fields in the southeast and cool soil temperatures across the region have prevented farmers and gardeners alike to make much progress in planting and spring activities," she said.

Edwards added that thus far, the spring season has shown some early signs of weeds and insect activity.

"The warm 2016 fall season may have set the stage for both weeds and insects," Edwards explained.

She added that SDSU Extension Weed specialists are already receiving reports of kochia and other species coming out. Some adult grasshoppers have also been observed in eastern South Dakota.

Based on NOAA report, the precipitation outlook for May 2017 for the northwestern corner of the state shows a good likelihood of above average rainfall.

"This area was hit hard last summer with severe drought. The recent rains in April, along with a continuing stream of precipitation in May, could bring good growth to grasses and forages in the area," Edwards said.

The current outlook for western South Dakota shows wetter than average now through July. As far as temperatures are concerned, the outlook is favoring warmer than average temperatures across all but the northern tier of the state from May through July.

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