Weather report: Winter storm denting drought on the Plains

In the West , cool weather covers the region in the wake of a departing storm. A few snow showers linger across the central and southern Rockies and the Southwest .

On the Plains, a major winter storm is denting drought but causing travel disruptions and an increase in livestock stress. The most significant snow is falling across the central Plains , while mixed precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain) is affecting the southern Plains . Gusty easterly winds accompany the snow. Early-morning snow depths included 9 inches in Wichita, Kansas , and 3 inches in Enid, Oklahoma .

In the Corn Belt , cold, dry weather prevails in advance of an approaching storm. Frozen precipitation is just starting to overspread the southwestern Corn Belt , including parts of Missouri .

In the South , an ice storm is affecting the Ozark Plateau , including southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Elsewhere, rain showers are developing in the western Gulf Coast region , while dry weather prevails in the Southeast .

Outlook : Cold weather will continue to dominate the na tion into early next week, especially across the western two- thirds of the U.S. Meanwhile, a developing storm system over the south-central U.S. will drift northeastward, reaching the Great Lakes region late in the week. Snow will blanket areas from the central Plains into the upper Midwest and Northeast , while ice accumulations can be expected from the Mid-South into the lower Great Lakes region and the northern Mid-Atlantic States . Along the storm’s trailing cold front, heavy showers and locally severe thunderstorms will sweep from the southern Plains into the Southeast . Toward week’s end, a new storm system will produce widespread precipitation from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies . Snow will return to portions of the Plains early next week, while additional rain will fall across the South . Five-day rainfall totals (through Monday) could reach 2 to 8 inches from the central Gulf Coast to the Carolinas . The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for February 26 – March 2 calls for near- to below-normal temperatures nationwide, except for warmer-than- normal weather across much of the nation’s northern tier . Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation from California to the High Plains will contrast with wetter-than-normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest , the Great Lakes region , and the Atlantic Coast States .

1. Study suggests dairy herd water quality linked to milk production
2. Wis. lawmakers question challenges to large wells
3. Traders evening up positions ahead of the weekend Friday
4. Bio-Vet and Keller break ground on new facility
5. NOAA: Get ready for a busy hurricane season
6. More raw milk problems for Alaska cow-share farm

1. Commentary: Milk faces branding dilemma
2. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
3. Chocolate milk a top post-workout food
4. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
5. What do dairy exports mean for Minnesota?
6. Salma Hayek: Milk part of 'perfect' breakfast

1. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
2. White House urges Senate to cut crop insurance in farm bill
3. Class III futures close out quietly last week
4. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
5. Drop in U.S. underground water levels has accelerated
6. Ongoing wave of Calif. metal theft prompts further legislation