The first half of January may not be as cold as originally anticipated in the Northern Plains. According to World Weather Incorporated Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Drew Lerner, the latest data suggests the bitter cold could hold off. “The second half of the month may be colder,” says Lerner. However, when there is a warmer bias, it allows the atmosphere to hold more moisture. “That greater amount of moisture sets the stage for a large storm system.” Somewhere in the middle of January, Lerner says another impactful storm system is possible. His biggest concern is the flood potential come spring. “The entire soil column is saturated in some places, as there wasn’t a lot of frost in the ground before the first storms came along this past fall. So, if this active weather pattern is going to continue, that does raise the potential for a spring flood.” Hear from Lerner in this interview.