This winter season has been abnormally warmer than usual, and Iowa’s State Climatologist Justin Glisan describes how it can impact the planting season.

Glisan tells Raccoon Valley Radio that with the lack of moisture in the air and combined with strong winds is leading to more fires starting up. He elaborates that planting in drier soils is not necessarily bad because it forces the roots deeper in order to access water. Glisan says it’s going to take time for Iowa to develop a moist pattern.

“We’re going to need several months, if not more than a year, of a very active pattern above average rainfall to really get us out of those longer term deficits, replenish soil moisture profiles, and see a rebound in stream flow.”

Glisan declares that if a drier stretch prevails through the middle of the planting season, then the deeper roots will be beneficial in providing less moisture stress on corn and beans.