Current Conditions

• January was a colder-than-normal month across most of the state, aided by an Arctic blast that impacted the state last week.
• January has been quite drier-than-normal, especially in the south. Snowfall totals since December 1^st are <50% of climatological normal at some stations.
• •Snow depth/coverage across the state is mainly limited to the Northwoods.

Impact

•Soil moisture estimates in the south are drier than normal due in part to minimal precip over the past 30-to-90 days.

• Closer to normal or above normal percentiles in the central and north.

•USDM drought severity coverage areas decreased slightly from last month, mainly in NW WI.

•Soil frost depth goes down more than 1-2 feet across the state after a cold stretch of weather with minimal/no snow cover. Wisconet soil temp measurements at 20” depth are at or below freezing.

Outlook

•Best 7-day chances for precip exist along the IL border and in the north; southern precip is looking more likely to be rain.

•Temperatures probabilities for mid-January are leaning near-to-below-normal. After a dry January, early February is showing a lean towards above-normal precip.

•February is leaning towards below normal in temperature and above normal in precip.

•The rest of winter into spring is more uncertain for temperatures with a lean towards above normal precip.

Crop Development

•Extreme cold and no cover leave the fate of winter wheat uncertain. It’s too early to assess entire fields, but an early indicator is to pull plants and place them in a warm environment like a milk house or kitchen. If the plant is alive, roots will regrow as vibrant white roots.

•When preparing for the season, the last frost is an indicator of readiness, check historical freeze dates for your county here.

If you would like to obtain a PowerPoint copy of this report, please email natasha.paris@wisc.edu.