8 Broadcaster Press May 28, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com June 2019 Climate Outlook Not What Farmers Hoped For BROOKINGS, S.D. – Spring weather is trying the patience of many South Dakota farmers as wet and cool conditions create planting delays across the state. “For the last two weeks in May, there is high likelihood of some very wet systems moving across the state,” said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. Edwards referenced the June 2019 Climate Outlook released May 17 by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center. “Potentially, east central and southeastern South Dakota could see as much as 3-inches of rainfall over the next two weeks,” Edwards said. “June’s climate outlook favors both wetter and colder conditions.” Edwards explained several climate computer models have been pointing towards this pattern for the summer, and consensus is getting stronger. “For the summer months of June, July and August, the continuation of this cooler and wetter pattern seems more likely across South Dakota,” Edwards said. The area that is favored to be cooler than average stretches north to south through the Central U.S., from the Canadian border to Texas. “Odds are leaning towards wetter than average conditions across almost all of the lower 48 states,” Edwards said. The exceptions are the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, upper Great Lakes and Northeast and Southeast. It comes as no surprise that this amount of rainfall, in combination with cooler than average temperatures, are not favorable for spring planting and crop progress for area farmers. Edwards said that the current climate outlook, combined with wet soils from last fall, near record snowfall over the winter and rain and cool temperatures this spring have delayed field work and planting. “As of May 13, only 4 percent of the Noem Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For Winter Weather, Flooding Damage PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today requested a Presidential Disaster state’s corn crop was planted,” Edwards Declaration to help South Dakotans and said, explaining that data from the last local governmental entities recover from five years indicates on average, by mid- property damage sustained during the May in South Dakota, a little over half of statewide winter weather and flooding the corn is planted. this spring. “Wet soils are partly to blame for deThe request is for FEMA assistance to layed planting, but cool soils have also help with repairs for damage done to both challenged farmers this year,” she said. public property as well as to individual The ideal soil temperature for plant- homes and businesses. A preliminary ing and germination of corn is 50 dedamage assessment indicates about $43 grees Fahrenheit. Eastern South Dakota million in damage to public infrastructure just reached that benchmark around in 58 counties and on three reservations. May 13-15, about 10 days to two weeks The preliminary damage assessment for later than usual. “The cold temperatures individual assistance is about $3 million May 17-19 brought soil temperatures covering 16 counties and three reservadown again into the mid to upper 40s tions. for most locations,” Edwards said. In a letter to President Trump, Noem Planting progress is also behind five- wrote that “a historic severe winter storm year averages for other small grains, of rare intensity” began in South Dakota like spring wheat and oats. “Nearly 90 March 13. She said the snow was followed percent of these crops are typically by a rapid snowmelt and flooding. The seplanted by mid-May, but this year only vere weather continued through April 26. 46 percent of spring wheat and 37 per“The winter weather and flooding cent of oats were planted by mid-May,” caused many issues with public and priEdwards said. vate infrastructure throughout the state Winter wheat and forage producas well as the extreme emotional toll on tion, however, have a more optimistic impacted citizens,” wrote Noem. “Citizens outlook. continue to experience ongoing issues “Most areas survived well over the with their homes and businesses because winter, with good snow cover consistent of the flooding.” through the season,” Edwards said. Public property damage assistance She explained the snow cover prois being requested for the counties of: tected winter wheat and grasses from Aurora, Beadle, Bennett, Bon Homme, temperature extremes and hard, spring Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campfrosts which can cause damage and bell, Charles Mix, Clark, Clay, Codington, reduce yields. Davison, Day, Deuel, Dewey, Douglas, Ed“Given the wet spring and the previmunds, Fall River, Faulk, Grant, Gregory, ous fall seasons, forage production is Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hutchinexpected to be near, to above average, son, Hyde, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsacross the state this year,” Edwards bury, Lake, Lincoln, Lyman, Marshall, said. McCook, McPherson, Mellette, Miner, MinOne concern with winter wheat and nehaha, Moody, Oglala Lakota, Penningalfalfa may be disease, as the cool and ton, Perkins, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, wet outlook are also favorable for some Spink, Sully, Todd, Tripp, Turner, Union, plant disease. Walworth, Yankton, and Ziebach, as well as the Cheyenne River, Lake Traverse, and Rosebud Indian Reservations. Individual damage assistance is being requested for the counties of: Bennett, Bon Homme, Brookings, Charles Mix, Dewey, Hamlin, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Jackson, Mellette, Minnehaha, Oglala Lakota, Todd, Turner, Yankton, and Ziebach counties as well as the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud Indian Reservations. Noem noted the severe weather impacted all parts of the state. The governor wrote that people had to be rescued from their flooded homes; city wastewater treatment plans and sewage lagoons were overwhelmed from high water; highways, ranging from the interstates to the county roads, were closed and damaged by both snow and water; power outages occurred in different parts of the state; and, the state’s agricultural industry was impacted by damage to fields and livestock. In her letter to the President, the governor stressed that the impacts of this storm will be felt for a long time. She added that federal assistance is needed. “South Dakotans pride themselves on being a hardy group of citizens, and we pull together to help one another, especially in times of disaster,” Noem wrote. “However, with the availability of federal assistance, combined with state, local, and voluntary assistance provided, it will help individuals, businesses, and government inch closer to recovering from this disaster.” The governor’s request does not guarantee federal funding will be made available to South Dakota and its citizens. South Dakota last received an Individual Assistance declaration in 2011 for widespread damage from Missouri River flooding. The last Public Assistance declaration was granted in 2016 following a Christmas ice storm. 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