CattleFax Weather Outlook
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 5, 2015) — Improved moisture conditions in much of the United States helped set the stage for the record levels of profitability seen by many cattle producers in 2014.
For spring, Art Douglas predicted warming in the western half of the United States, but cool temperatures in the East
Among the first forecasters of the El Niño event credited for bringing rain was Art Douglas, atmospheric scientist and professor emeritus for Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. Douglas shared a forecast again on Feb. 5 for the benefit of cattle folk attending the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.
It marked the 39th year that Douglas has been featured during the CattleFax Market Outlook Seminar convened in conjunction with the annual convention. Considered remarkably accurate — as weather forecasters go — Douglas admitted that El Niño has not measured up to expectations.
“It’s been fickle,” said Douglas, “and appears to have peaked in June, instead of December as patterns suggest, but it still looks like we’ll see two years of El Niño’s influence.”
Douglas said late-winter conditions could be right for development of moisture in southern California and also in the Southwest. From northern California and eastward across the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, conditions are likely to be cooler and drier than normal. Chances for moisture in the West improve as spring approaches, especially during March. A wet spring appears likely for southeastern states.
For spring, Douglas predicted warming in the western half of the United States, but cool temperatures in the East. Cool weather in the Corn Belt could delay spring planting. Mid- and late-summer temperatures should be at normal levels or above, favoring maturing crops. Summer could bring increased moisture across the North, a late monsoon season in the Southwest and drier conditions in the Southeast.
“It’s a mixed bag forecast,” said Douglas.
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