Massive Runoff from Frozen Midwest Fields

January 31, 2013

Midwest farms were hit with heavy rainfall early this week,  but frozen fields may have prevented rain from replenishing dry soils.  

Chicago reported a record high of 63 degrees F Tuesday, but the “heat wave” in Illinois was preceded by a harsh cold wave the previous week.     This suggests that fields were still frozen, when very heavy rainfall developed.  Northern Illinois received 2.5-3 inches of rainfall that probably ran off into ditches and streams.

Even though temperatures were above normal in January nighttime lows were still below freezing... subscribers continue to full story...