Some parts of the western U.S., Ohio River Valley and Midwest got some major precipitation in the winter weather systems that moved through the country last week, delivering some drought relief especially for the parched western U.S. Though that’s good news, the systems withheld moisture relief for parts of the western and central High Plains, where drought remains a major problem as the spring fieldwork window approaches. As the latest system moves out through the Northeast Monday and another system comes ashore in the Pacific Northwest, the central third of the nation will start the week dry and slightly warmer than normal, according to the latest ag forecast. Those quiet conditions could end as a snow- and rain-bearing low-pressure system takes up residence in a band from Kansas through Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. Though the mixed precipitation and refreeze could make travel treacherous — especially in the central Corn Belt and Great Lakes region — the freeze-thaw cycling that will take place as the system moves through will have general long-term benefits to soil tilth. See more from the latest outlook.