Loading ...So wheat, barley, cotton and peanut crops could be at risk.
Specific agricultural impacts vary regionally across the US:
- The Midwest & Corn Belt: El Niño promotes an active subtropical jet stream that delivers timely summer rains. This moisture—combined with a lower chance of crop-killing heat domes during critical corn pollination periods—often yields near-record harvests. [1, 2, 3]
- The South & Mississippi Delta: While beneficial for early planting, excess rainfall can cause flooding, delay fall harvests for crops like cotton and peanuts, and increase the risk of plant diseases. [1, 2]
- The Pacific Northwest: This region tends to experience warmer and drier weather, which can stress wheat and barley crops and increase wildfire risks. []
- California: Increased winter and spring precipitation can help replenish reservoirs for specialty crops, though intense downpours can occasionally damage orchards and vegetable fields. [1, 2]