Plains Rain Boosts Wheat Planting Conditions
Rainfall across the Plains is expected to significantly improve planting conditions for hard red winter wheat early next week. Forecasts predict 1.75 to 2.5 inches of rain along the Nebraska-Kansas border and western Oklahoma, with broader coverage across Kansas, Oklahoma, eastern Colorado, and New Mexico receiving 0.75 to 1.5 inches. Some areas in Kansas could see five-day totals of 3 to 4 inches, with seven-day amounts reaching 3 to 5 inches. This rainfall could provide much-needed moisture for wheat planting, especially in areas facing exceptional drought conditions. However, heavy rainfall may also pose risks such as ponding, erosion, and soil crusting. Source time: September 25, 2026.