DTN ag weather says a ridge remains in the East while troughs sit over the Plains and Pacific Northwest, setting up more storm movement across the country in the next several days. The forecast says the second of those systems should be a bit stronger and may push the eastern ridge off the East Coast, keeping the pattern active into early next week.
That matters for agriculture because the forecast points to mixed results in several major production areas. Some locations may get needed moisture, but repeated storms, colder air, and mixed precipitation could also reduce field access and slow planting progress. DTN says its outlook uses a blend of the U.S. and European models, with more weight on the European model. For the full original report, see DTN Ag Weather Brief.
DTN ag weather highlights snow and cold in the Northern Plains
In the Northern Plains, DTN says a system moved in on Wednesday and continues to bring snow across the east on Thursday. One more system is expected on Friday and Saturday, with widespread mixed precipitation and chances for heavy snow. The report says that while this moisture will be welcome, it will be hard to get much early fieldwork done for a while.
DTN also says colder temperatures are likely to last through next week. That combination of snow, mixed precipitation, and persistent cold may create a difficult stretch for livestock, wheat, corn, and soybean areas that are trying to move into spring operations.
Southern Plains weather stays active while drought remains a concern
In the Central and Southern Plains, DTN says a potent storm system brought widespread showers, heavy rain in some areas, and strong thunderstorms on Wednesday. Another system is expected to move through on Friday and Saturday with much of the same pattern, keeping conditions active across the region.
Even so, DTN says the southwest part of the region may get very limited precipitation or almost none at all. The report says drought has been growing quickly over the last couple of months and that western areas face worsening conditions, which is not a good setup for many winter wheat locations. More DTN forecast coverage is available at DTN Weather.
Midwest rain may help soil moisture but slow planting
For the Midwest, DTN says another system moved in on Wednesday and produced widespread showers and thunderstorms, with significant freezing rain across the north continuing into Thursday. Another similar system is expected for Friday and Saturday, adding more moisture across the region.
The report says some heavy rain may help raise soil moisture for planting and ease dryness. But the same rainfall may also make it difficult to get into fields this week. DTN adds that a burst of colder air should follow early next week, though it is expected to be short lived, with more systems possible later next week and into the weekend.
Delta dryness and global crop pressure remain in focus
In the Delta, DTN says dryness and drought remain major concerns as spring planting expands in April. A front is expected on Thursday and another system this weekend, but the report says rainfall will likely not be enough to reduce drought in many areas, and next week is expected to turn drier again.
Outside the United States, DTN points to ongoing weather pressure in key crop regions. Brazil still needs more consistent heavy rainfall during the final month of the wet season for a good safrinha corn crop, while Argentina faces some flood risk that may disrupt harvest in certain areas. The official report was published by DTN on its agriculture news website on April 2, 2026.