DTN ag weather says the United States remains in an active pattern as a ridge sits in the East and troughs hold over the Plains and Pacific Northwest. According to the April 2 forecast, those troughs will keep moving east with storm systems over the next several days, and the second system is expected to be stronger and push the eastern ridge off the East Coast.
That setup matters for agriculture because the forecast points to a mix of benefits and setbacks. Some areas may pick up useful moisture, but repeated storms, colder air, and mixed precipitation could also reduce field access and slow early planting work. DTN says it is using a blend of the U.S. and European models while favoring the European model. For the original forecast, readers can review DTN Ag Weather Brief.
Northern Plains face snow, cold, and a slow start for fieldwork
In the Northern Plains, DTN says a system moved in on Wednesday and continues to bring snow across the east on Thursday. Another system is expected on Friday and Saturday, with widespread mixed precipitation and chances for heavy snow. The report says the added moisture will be welcome, but it will be hard to get much early fieldwork done for a while.
DTN also says colder temperatures are likely to remain in place through next week. That combination of snow, mixed precipitation, and lingering cold could keep pressure on livestock operations and slow spring progress in wheat, corn, and soybean areas that are trying to move into a more active field season.
Southern Plains storms may miss some drought areas
For the Central and Southern Plains, DTN says a potent storm system moved through on Wednesday with widespread showers, some heavy rain, and strong thunderstorms. Another system is expected to move across the region on Friday and Saturday with much of the same pattern.
Even with that activity, the report says the southwest part of the region may receive very limited precipitation or almost none at all. DTN says drought has been growing quickly in the west during the last couple of months and that conditions there will only get worse if that pattern continues. Additional forecast resources are also available from the National Weather Service.
Midwest rain may help moisture but delay planting progress
In the Midwest, DTN says another system moved in on Wednesday and started to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms, with significant freezing rain across the north continuing into Thursday. A similar system is expected for Friday and Saturday, which means more moisture is likely across a broad part of the region.
The forecast says some heavy rain may improve soil moisture for planting and ease dryness. At the same time, it may also make it difficult to get into the fields this week. DTN adds that a burst of colder air should arrive early next week, although it is expected to be short lived, with additional systems possible later next week and into the weekend.
Delta dryness and global crop stress remain part of the picture
In the Delta, DTN says dryness and drought remain major concerns as spring planting increases in April. A front is expected on Thursday and another system this weekend, but the report says that rainfall will probably not be enough to reduce drought in many areas, and next week is likely to turn drier again.
DTN also points to continued pressure in other major crop regions. Brazil still needs more consistent heavy rainfall during the final month of the wet season for a good safrinha corn crop, while some parts of Argentina could see flooding issues that affect harvest. For broader agriculture coverage in English, readers can also visit Agroinformacion. The official report was published by DTN on its agriculture news website on April 2, 2026.