Pennsylvania soaked with rain; 20 points behind 2023 planting progress

Consistent rains across the Corn Belt have kept corn planting numbers from jumping ahead of the five-year average in recent weeks, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Crop Progress report, 83% of the nation’s crop is in the ground. This is one percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 82% and a 13 percentage point jump from the week prior. 

In Iowa, numerous storms and large rainfall allowed just 2.3 workable field days in the week ending May 26, said Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan. The state is at 88% complete in corn planting, behind the five-year average of 92%.

“The statewide weekly average precipitation was 3.41 inches; more than triple the normal of 1.10 inches,” Glisan said. 

In one of the Corn Belt states, though, the constant rain has the state well behind its five-year average. 

Pennsylvania working through wet spring

Pennsylvania has been drenched in the month of May, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Dale Mohler, with rain falling in the Keystone State “two out of every three days.” 

“It was OK in April, but April’s a little early to plant corn in most of Pennsylvania,” Mohler said. “It’s been tough.”

The state is 53% complete with corn planting, 13 percentage points behind its five-year average of 66%, and 20 percentage points behind planting pace at the same time in 2023 (73%). 

Pennsylvania reported 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork and jumped 20 percentage points from May 19 to May 26. Mohler said near State College, where he is from, there is a lot of planting progress being made despite wet conditions. He feels confident the state is still in a good spot, with time to get crops in the ground before it gets too late.

Data from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet shows that much of Pennsylvania experienced above-average levels of precipitation in the month of May, with only the northwestern and southeastern corners of the state receiving less precipitation than the monthly average. 

Mohler said there is going to be a new weather system moving through Pennsylvania over the next two weeks, which will bring colder and drier conditions but not in a way that will hinder planting.

“You’ve got to get it in pretty soon otherwise it would be a little too late,” Mohler said.

30- to 60-day outlook

Whether or not Pennsylvania can catch up to its five-year average, Mohler said he didn’t see the state’s slow progress to this point as a big concern. With favorable weather conditions forecast by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, Pennsylvania is expected to continue receiving more rainfall than average in the coming months. 

The United States is fresh out of an El Niño and is in a neutral position right now, Mohler said, but the predictions from AccuWeather and the NWS both say a “weak-to-moderate” La Niña is likely to show up in the late summer and into the fall. 

Mohler said it might not have too much of an impact on crop progress and condition in Pennsylvania and the rest of the Corn Belt, but come harvest season, the La Niña is projected to be on the rise. 

Where it could have an impact, Mohler said, is in states where winter wheat planting is taking place. 

“That could make an impact on the wheat crop,” Mohler said. “Normally La Niña means less rain in the central and southern Plains, and if that is the case then [winter wheat] may not get that well established this fall.”