View weather and climate conditions this week in Wisconsin
Here are this week’s take home points about the weather, scroll down for the full report:
Current Conditions
- The dryness continued for another week for the state. Some in the far NW & SE received a half inch or more of precip. Many stations in the west and far south have experienced little to no precipitation in October 2024.
- Temperatures last week were once again warmer than normal, except for the NC/NE region that was closer to seasonal.
Impact
•Large swaths of WI are now experiencing very dry soil moisture percentiles. USDM map.
•USDM drought coverage expanded in the west and south, with D2 drought now in the south.
- Corn & soybean harvest is running well ahead of normal pace with the dry conditions.
- Winter wheat planting is nearly complete, with 62% of the crop emerged in WI fields.
•GDDs are running well ahead of normal pace, with corn maturity complete/nearly complete.
Outlook
•Statewide chances for precip this upcoming week; with the SW and Central Sands having the best chances.
•The transition from October to November has a higher probability to be warmer and drier than normal but keep an eye out for some dryness relief with a lean toward a wetter-than-normal conditions.
•Late fall into early 2025 is more uncertain for temperatures and precip.
•La Niña is favored to be in place by September-November (according to the CPC); less of a chance for having a colder-than-normal winter.
What does this mean for you? Here are some things to consider for your farm this week:
Crop Development
•Monitor moisture in crops closely as the lack of precipitation and mid-season disease pressure has led to some crops drying out earlier than usual.
•Evaluate soil temperatures and moisture for the opportunity for cover crops after crops come off.
•Be aware that nitrogen is still mobile as soil temperatures are still above 50F in most places.
•As crops come off, consider diverse cover crop mixes to help mitigate any compaction that may have occurred this spring and protect soil heading into fall. Tools available here for cover crop selection and their use in a forage rotation.
Manure Applications
•Low runoff risk in the next week. Check the DATCP runoff risk advisory forecast here.
•Consider the relationship between manure and cover crops, learn more here.
Forage Management
•Look out for herbicide carryover, volunteers in late summer seeding of alfalfa after wheat. Read more.
•Fall alfalfa cutting can affect persistence, read more and use our new tool to make informed decisions.
•Be mindful of prussic acid concerns in fields with standing sorghums.
