Between Two Jet Streams: Meandering Storms Bring Crucial Rain to Plains and Midwest Amid Drought
A slow-moving storm system between split jet streams is bringing needed rainfall to the central U.S.-but it won't be enough to break widespread drought conditions.
A recent split in the jet stream has created a volatile and slow-moving weather pattern affecting much of the central U.S. With the northern stream anchored over Canada and a weaker southern stream stretching from California to the Gulf, weak disturbances are drifting eastward between them-bringing several days of intermittent rain to parts of the Plains and Midwest.
These meandering storms are less predictable than typical jet-stream-tied systems, making it harder for farmers to plan around timing, location, and rainfall amounts. One such system already moved through the central Rockies into the Northern Plains, producing over 3 inches of rain in some areas from September 12-15.
Now, a second disturbance is tracking from the Rockies into the Plains, expected to move slowly into the Midwest by the weekend. While less organized, it could still bring 1 to 2 inches of rain, with localized heavier totals possible. However, rainfall becomes lighter as the system reaches areas east of the Mississippi River.
Two separate jet streams-one positioned over northern Canada and the other across the deep southern U.S.-are creating a zone of weak atmospheric flow. Within this corridor, small storm systems are expected to drift slowly eastward throughout the week.
The timing is critical. States like Arkansas, Mississippi, and regions throughout the Ohio River Valley have faced six weeks or more of significant dryness. Crops are struggling in their final growth stages, and drought conditions have intensified. Soil moisture remains low, and river levels on both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers have dropped, threatening grain transport, input deliveries, and harvest logistics.
Though the current storm pattern may provide short-term relief, it falls short of what's needed to reverse entrenched drought stress. With sporadic rainfall and poor distribution, many farms may still miss meaningful precipitation entirely. Others may see runoff rather than soil absorption, depending on soil condition and rain intensity.
From a crop insurance and supply chain standpoint, uncertainty continues. Livestock producers may see some pasture improvement, and row crop growers could benefit from increased late-season moisture. But any boost to yields will be modest at best, and challenges related to transportation and dryland management persist.
This weather pattern highlights the importance of resilient strategies in the face of unpredictable atmospheric behavior. For now, the jet stream divide continues to dictate where and how much relief the U.S. ag sector can expect.