The system in the Plains that brought some beneficial rainfall to the western hard-red winter wheat areas this week is now bringing rain to the western Midwest. 

In the western wheat areas some locations in the TX and OK Panhandles, western KS, eastern CO, and parts of southwestern into southcentral NE received rainfall of 0.40-1.00 inch, with a few heavier amounts. 

Back in the Midwest, the latest data from the Climate Prediction Center indicates total soil moisture deficits, prior to any rain the past 24 hours. The shortfalls range between 3 to 6 inches in parts of northeastern NE, southeastern and east-central SD, about the northwestern third of IA, much of southern MN, and parts of western WI. Lesser deficits are shown in the rest of the west. Another area showing increasing soil moisture deficits is from parts of southeastern IA into parts of northern and central IL, with deficits of 2 to 4 inches in total soil moisture. Recent lack of rainfall in all of these above mentioned areas has also considerably dried topsoils, as planting increases in many areas and will pick up even more soon. 

We are projecting that nationwide 17 to 19% of the corn crop will be planted by April 15. This would be new record, beating the previous record of 14% in 2004. 

Significant rains have spread into the western Midwest the past 24 hours, bringing some badly needed moisture to many areas. Some of the heavier rainfall totals in the previously driest areas through 7:00 AM CDT Fri. include the following cities in Nebraska: 0.60" in Norfolk, Columbus 0.63", Tekamah 0.87", O'Neill 0.62", Albion 0.52". In SD, Sioux Falls received 0.73" of rainfall, Brookings 0.40". In Minnesota, Worthington 0.47" of rain, Luverne 0.91", Pipestone 0.57", and Slayton 0.53". In Iowa, Sioux City collected 0.99" of rain, Orange City 1.14", Le Mars 0.68", Sheldon 1.16", Spencer 0.54", Storm Lake 1.16", Denison 0.55", and Carroll 0.58". 

Further south of all these above mentioned areas significant rain also fell into southeastern NE, southwestern IA, northeastern KS, and northwestern MO. Rain was also spreading eastward over more of the western Midwest this morning. 

This current weather system will continue to produce rainfall in the Midwest into Sun. and Mon. Total rainfall of 1.00-2.00" is likely in most of the western and northwestern Midwest, with some locally heavier amounts. Lightest amounts of rain will likely fall in southeastern MO, about the southern 1/3 to 1/2 of IL, northern KY, central and southern IN, and much of OH, with amounts in the 0.10-0.50" range. Rainfall of 0.50 to 1.00 inch is forecast in southeastern IA, and at least the northern half of IL, with a few locally heavier amounts.