The arctic air mass that caused bitterly cold temperatures across much of the United States earlier this week will be gradually fading over the next couple of days and will be replaced with a warmer air mass. Many crop areas, including the Midwest, Hard Red Winter Wheat Region, and Northern Plains will receive above average temperatures Friday through Sunday. These warmer temperatures will be aided by a trough of low pressure that will move into the western United States later this week. This will promote a southerly wind in much of the Midwest, Delta, and southern Hard Red Winter Wheat Region which will help pull in more warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico area.