Weather report: Warmer conditions return to the southern Plains

In the West, winter weather advisories are in effect throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain States, with locally heavy accumulations of rain and snow hampering transportation throughout the day. In contrast, drier albeit cooler weather dominates much of California.

On the Plains, a wintery mix of precipitation is spreading into northern portions of the region, with several inches of new snow expected locally in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Warmer conditions continue on the southern Plains, with daytime highs approaching 70°F in some locations.

In the Corn Belt, showers and thunderstorms will develop throughout the day across the Midwest, with precipitation falling as snow in the colder northern areas.

In the South, scattered, generally light showers extend from the Delta to the mid-Atlantic Region, with icy conditions hampering travel from Virginia northward.

Outlook: Frozen precipitation will gradually end in the mid-Atlantic Region, but a new storm is forming in the Nation’s mid-section, which promises to bring locally heavy precipitation to much of the East over the next few days. Accumulations in excess of 2 inches are possible from the Mississippi Valley into New England, and strong storms are anticipated for the Southeast. Meanwhile, cold, mostly dry weather is developing on the Great Plains. By Wednesday, temperatures are forecast to fall well below 0°F in northern areas, where a shallow snow cover offers some protection to overwintering grains and pastures. Snow showers are expected to linger through week’s end throughout much of the West, although amounts and coverage will diminish over time. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for February 2-6 calls for below-normal temperatures along and east of the Mississippi River and abovenormal temperatures from the Great Plains westward. Drier-than-normal conditions are expected throughout much of the Nation, the exception being the northern Plains and the Great Lakes Region, where wetter conditions are forecast.

1. Cold Storage: Frozen pork supplies up from March
2. Tyson sends disaster-assistance truck to Oklahoma
3. University workshops address workforce management issues
4. Mexico says U.S. not respecting WTO ruling on meat labeling
5. Special health claim for this pork
6. Ag markets posted a general advance mid-day Wednesday

1. Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally
2. Swine virus confirmed in Iowa, Indiana hog herds
3. Business seminars scheduled for World Pork Expo
4. USDA says has detected virus in Iowa hog population
5. Premium Standard Farms Founder Dies Unexpectedly
6. Commentary: GMOs: How do I hate thee?

1. Insects. They’re what’s for dinner!
2. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
3. Meat and climate change: How significant is the impact?
4. Tyson selects panel to monitor animal welfare program
5. Survey reveals most Americans in favor of COOL
6. Commentary: GMOs: How do I hate thee?