Winterkill Likely Across South Central Midwest Wheat Belt this Week

Very cold conditions are poised to move into the Midwest over the next few days, and with snow cover very thin or absent across south central areas, winterkill will likely impact wheat. 

 

The main areas expected to be affected would be central Missouri, central Illinois, central Indiana, and central and southwestern Ohio. “Temperatures will likely drop to -2 to -12 F in these areas Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and with very little snow cover, some damage is likely to wheat,” said Don Keeney, Senior Agricultural Meteorologist for Radiant Solutions. “Areas across the far southern Midwest along the Ohio River should escape damage, as lows in these areas should remain above winterkill thresholds.” Snow cover should remain deep enough to prevent damage in the northwestern Midwest, where lows will likely drop to at least -35 F. Readings should moderate considerably in the Midwest this weekend, which will end any winterkill threats.