Posted March 19th, 2025 | By Andrew Pritchard, Senior Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions

Andrew Pritchard, a senior atmospheric scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions shares his thoughts on this year’s spring equinox and what it means for growers.

The spring equinox is an exciting time for farmers in North America, as it signals the transition from winter to the new growing season. For many, this period is a time of preparation - checking soil conditions, planning crop rotations, and beginning early planting for cold-hardy crops.

During late winter and early spring, the temperature contrast between the cold polar regions and the warmer tropical latitudes is at its most extreme in the Northern Hemisphere, strengthening the jet stream over North America. This is often the time of year when we see large, high-impact storm systems that usher in the battle between the first waves of warm spring air and lingering shots of cold winter air across the American agricultural belt.

In 2025, we’ll be transitioning from a weak La Niña to ENSO-neutral conditions, meaning the weather outlook is wide open in many areas. Farmers and meteorologists alike will be watching for early signs of where the favored track of major spring storms may set up and where early signs of stress may emerge.