Mid-March snowstorm slows down fieldwork and oats planting

<![CDATA[

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A widespread mid-March snowstorm dropped significant snowfall across southern Minnesota over the weekend of March 14-15, halting any early fieldwork and delaying planting plans for some small grains farmers.

Snowfall totals varied widely across the region, with lighter amounts in parts of southeast Minnesota and heavier bands stretching farther north and west.

In Rochester, the National Weather Service reported roughly 8 to 12 inches of snow, while areas farther north saw much higher totals. Some locations near the Twin Cities and central Minnesota recorded up to 20 inches, according to National Weather Service reports.

The storm marked a sharp shift from unseasonably warm conditions earlier in the month that had allowed limited field activity to begin.

“You know, I did see some field work happen the last couple weeks there before the storm,” said Ryan Miller, a University of Minnesota Extension educator based in Rochester. “But for most folks, it’s pretty early.”

While the storm may seem unusual given the recent warm weather, Miller said large March snow events are common in Minnesota.

“This is pretty typical,” he said. “We get a lot of moisture and get some cold air with it. We end up with these bigger snowfall totals.”

Late winter storms often coincide with the seasonal transition, bringing heavy, wet snow that can quickly accumulate.

While parts of Minnesota were probably the hardest hit in the region, snow blanketed parts of North Dakota and South Dakota, too. Many areas received scattered snow of an inch or two. Parts of northeastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota received heavy snowfall on March 12-13. Areas of central and eastern South Dakota also received heavy, wet snow March 14-15, though South Dakota State University Extension climatologist Laura Edwards said the snow didn’t make it to the areas of southern South Dakota where drought conditions remain, including southwestern South Dakota, where wildfires are burning.

Impact on planting

The immediate impact is a delay for Minnesota farmers hoping to plant small grains early, which include the many oat farmers in the region. 

“The big disappointment is for folks trying to hit those early planting days of small grains,” Miller said. “It’s going to slow that down a little bit.”

Most corn and soybean planting is still several weeks away, and Miller said the storm is unlikely to significantly affect those crops unless additional storms follow.

“I don’t think it’s going to slow things down too much at this point,” he said. “Now, if we pick up another one of these blizzards in a week or two, that’ll maybe start to change things.”

In South Dakota, Edwards said some oats seeds already are in the ground. In some places, soil temperatures already have been in the 40s, so some of the moisture likely will make it to the seeds.

“Their soils never really got a deep frost,” she said.

While the snow and colder temperatures may be frustrating for those planning to plant soon, Edwards said a warm up was expected later in the week.

Meanwhile, in North Dakota, state climatologist Daryl Ritchison doesn’t expect the storm was the last of the conditions to keep planting at bay, which is not unusual.

“Generally speaking, our last freeze of the season is between the 5th and 15th of May,” he said. “We’ve all seen it snow in May. We’ve all seen it snow at the end of April. I just think we’re going to see a lot of ups and downs for the next four weeks with temperatures. And I just wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a little bit on the frustrating side to get out planting this year. But that’s pretty common.”

Soil moisture boost

The snowfall could benefit soil moisture conditions heading into spring, Miller said. 

Southern Minnesota had been trending dry in recent weeks. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Olmsted, Dodge and Mower counties were classified as abnormally dry as of March 10.

“If you look at the streams around the area, things were low,” Miller said. “We went from no snow at all, to it looks like we’ve had a winter’s worth of snow.”

How much of that moisture reaches the soil will depend on two things, Miller explained. 

“It’s a matter of how fast it melts and whether it can actually percolate into the ground, or if it’s just going to run off,” he said.

In South Dakota, Edwards said the heaviest snow didn’t fall in the places it was most needed but still should provide some welcome moisture, especially in places where seed already is in the ground.

And in North Dakota, Ritchison expects little of the moisture from recent wet snowstorms will make it into the ground.

“I’m not saying none of it goes into the soil, but it’s a really small percentage that does,” he said.

Watching the forecast

Warmer temperatures are expected later in the week, which could accelerate snowmelt and allow fields to dry.

Still, Miller said lingering snowpack could influence how quickly conditions improve.

“When you see those higher temperatures predicted, if we have all this snowpack, will the air temperature actually manage to get that high?” he said.

For now, the storm serves as a reminder that winter conditions can persist well into March, even as farmers begin preparing for the growing season.

]]>