Arctic Air Poses Threat To US Plains Wheat


Arctic air is set to move into the US Plains next week, putting wheat not covered by snow at risk of winterkill.

Chicago recorded its third 2-inch-plus December snowfall Tuesday propelling the city's seasonal snow tally to 8.5 inches -- the third heaviest early season total there since 1980.

Chicago temperatures are set to warm up next week though, as bitterly cold arctic air masses enter the country by way of the Rockies and Plains. Winter wheat crops in western Nebraska and in northwestern Kansas could face some damage analysts say.