Corn Belt, Ohio Valley and the South Turn Cooler Than Normal Thursday and Friday as Midweek Cold Front Sweeps East, While the Western Plains Stay Warm
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — A midweek cold front is expected to bring a noticeable cooldown across the central and eastern Corn Belt, with temperatures trending toward or below seasonal averages by Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13, 2026.
Farther west, warmer conditions are expected to hold on across the High Plains.
Cooldown Timeline
| Day | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Cold front moves through the Midwest |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Cooler air spreads across the Corn Belt and Ohio Valley |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Below-normal temperatures across much of the central and eastern U.S. |
Where It Turns Coldest Compared to Normal
Forecast temperature departures for the 24 hours ending 7 p.m. EST Friday show:
| Region | Temperatures vs. Normal |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Valley, including Nashville | About 8 to 11°F below normal |
| North Georgia and Atlanta area | About 8 to 11°F below normal |
| Kentucky and southeast Missouri | About 6 to 10°F below normal |
| Ohio Valley, including Cincinnati | About 4 to 8°F below normal |
| Mid-South, including Memphis and Jackson | About 4 to 8°F below normal |
| Great Lakes, including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland | About 4 to 8°F below normal |
| Upper Midwest, including Minneapolis and Milwaukee | About 4 to 6°F below normal |
| Mid-Atlantic, including Washington and Raleigh | Slightly below normal |
| Central Plains, including Omaha and St. Louis | Slightly to moderately below normal |
| Western Dakotas, Nebraska and western Oklahoma | Near to above normal |
| Dallas and western Texas | Near normal |
Biggest Temperature Drop in the Tennessee Valley
The coldest departures on the map center on Tennessee, northern Alabama and north Georgia, where temperatures could run as much as 10 degrees below normal.
Corn Belt Turns Noticeably Cooler
Across the central and eastern Corn Belt, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio, temperatures will drop back toward or below typical mid-November levels, ending a long run of mild weather.
West Stays Warm
While the East cools, areas west of a line from the Dakotas to western Oklahoma remain near or above normal. The western Dakotas and parts of Montana could stay noticeably warmer than usual.
Impact on Farm Operations
For farmers across the Corn Belt, the cooler air could mean:
- Frost or freeze on colder nights
- Slower drying of grain left in fields
- Better conditions for some fall fieldwork on dry days
- Higher fuel use for grain drying and heating
Part of a Larger Pattern Change in the East
The cooldown fits into a broader shift toward colder weather in the eastern U.S., following recent freeze warnings in the Ohio Valley and forecasts for a possible coastal storm and mountain snow in the Northeast late in the week.
How to Prepare for Cooler Weather
- Protect livestock water from freezing
- Winterize equipment and outdoor faucets
- Check heating systems in homes and barns
- Watch overnight lows for frost or freeze
Outlook: Seasonable to Chilly Into the Weekend
Temperatures are expected to stay near or below normal across much of the Midwest and East into the weekend, with warmer air remaining locked in the West.
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