Lerner speaks during the Big Iron Farm Show in the Red River Farm Network Issues & Events Center.
Brutal winds the week of March 29 stretched far beyond the Northern Plains. According to World Weather Incorporated Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Drew Lerner, the highest wind gusts on Monday were seen west of the Dakotas. “Ninety mile-per-hour winds were seen at Casper Wyoming, with the next closest wind speeds at 80 mph in far western South Dakota away from the mountains.” A wide range of wind speeds from 55-to-75 mph were common across other parts of the Dakotas into Minnesota. The cool temperatures also added insult to injury. “Temperatures plummeted Monday night into Tuesday morning behind the low pressure system, going from the 80s in eastern South Dakota down into the teens and 20s. Further to the northern, the Canadian Prairies had a blizzard.” Temperatures will be warmer as the calendar turns to April. That means farmers and ranchers will be seeking out any chance, big or small, for rainfall. Get Lerner’s take on the April forecast, the continuing dry conditions and more in this Red River Farm Network interview.
