The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a cool wet summer for many states in the Midwest. State Climatologist Dennis Todey explains what this could mean for South Dakota crops.
NOAA’s prediction of a cool and wet summer may not be a surprise to many South Dakotans – residents have been dealing with winter-like weather conditions since the Atlas storm swept across the state last October.
State Climatologist Dennis Todey says NOAA’s forecast is not a guarantee – instead it is based on computer model projections that take persistent weather patterns and the developing El Nino into account.
Todey says cool, wet weather may affect crops across South Dakota differently.
“It really depends on where you are in the state. In southern parts of the state where temperatures tend to be hotter during the summer, cooler conditions overall will probably be a little bit more beneficial for them – less chance of maybe some stressful conditions in those situations,” says Todey.
Todey says the cool, wet forecast could pose more of a problem for crops in north central and north east parts of South Dakota - because of the late spring many farmers and ranchers are already off to a late start getting their crops in the ground.
Todey says farmers and ranchers can prepare ahead to help minimize potential damage.
“In some cases if they haven’t planted they may be able to change a variety. If you have planted and you are too wet, you’ll want to watch for disease issues along the way,” says Todey.
Todey says the way farmers and ranchers market their products can also be affected.
“Because they market their crops ahead based on what their yield is going to be and maybe they take a little less aggressive stance on how they market. Also, just planning out what their fall could be, what their harvest conditions could be like,” says Todey.
South Dakota is not the only state where a cool, wet summer is forecasted. Todey says many neighboring states could see similar conditions.
He says as the year goes on, climatologists will be giving updates on what conditions might look like for fall so people can make decisions regarding harvesting.
