Planters Likely Staying Put as Colder Temps Dominate the Weekend

The weekend will be dry but cold air is on the way in Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin’s Michigan Planting Weather Forecast. Martin says after moisture Friday morning, we’ll settle into a period of decent sunshine, but those cool temps won’t help move us toward planting.

“Some gusty winds, I think, for Saturday morning, but temperatures that are going to be a good ten degrees below normal. I expect us fully to go sub-freezing in parts of Michigan over the weekend. So, between the moisture and the slow drying with the cool air and the cool temperatures effect on soil temperatures, I think we’re going to be backing things up on the planting thoughts here just a little bit over the next few days.”

Moving into next week, Martin says our next weather system looks to move in on Tuesday.

“Now temperatures will moderate nicely on Monday ahead of it, so we’re not talking cold air anymore for the start of next week, but the moisture on Tuesday likely brings a tenth to half an inch with coverage around 80% of Lower Michigan. Everybody gets moisture by the time we’re done with Tuesday and Tuesday night. I think once we get into Wednesday, we see cooler air coming in behind the system and take control again for Wednesday and Thursday.”

Martin is calling for good sun following those rains, but don’t expect a quick turnaround for soil conditions.

“Evaporation will be slowed a little bit because of the coolness again, but by Thursday afternoon and early Friday we’re on the backside of the high. That means temperatures start to moderate Friday. We’re also watching a large weather system come together in the Plains and western Corn Belt that looks to shift into Michigan likely Saturday afternoon and Sunday with potential for large rains.”

Martin provides more details in his full Planting Weather Forecast, presented by Greenstone Farm Credit Services, later Friday at MichiganAgToday.com.