Field cracked and dry because of droughtA La Niña system started developing in the Pacific Ocean a few months ago, and that’s not a good sign for already drought-stricken farmers and ranchers in the southern Plains and western U.S. Climatologists are watching Pacific Ocean temperatures closely, as they’re a key indicator of the likelihood and strength of a persisting La Niña that normally leads to warmer, drier winter weather. Soil moisture levels are likely to be depleted in much of the western U.S. heading into spring, and the mounting dryness could hamper early spring crop development just as it’s already kept some farmers and ranchers from sowing winter wheat and cold-season forage crops. See more on the developing La Niña weather situation.