Cool, wet weather may stall soil warming

Soil temperatures have most likely hit the highest point for this week.  Temperatures are predicted to be in the 50s for highs most of this week with lows in the 30s.  Precipitation chances also pick up towards the end of the week, which may further delay soil warming.  This should not be much of a concern because our soils are already a week ahead of schedule.  7-day average soil temperatures are in the mid 50s in central Nebraska and the upper 40s in eastern Nebraska and the Panhandle.  Many locations are 5-8 F above normal, but this may look different by the end of the week.
We may also be entering a variable weather pattern with a series of upper level disturbances in the forecast.  This will make optimal planting conditions difficult with temperature swings and chances of precipitation.  The short term precipitation forecast does not include heavy amounts for most of Nebraska, but will keep the soils cool and just wet enough for some locations to stay out of the field. 
Imbibitional chilling injury of corn is also a concern when planting ahead of cold rain.  Cold water is much more dense than warmer water, thus causing cell membrane damage when expansion happens after water uptake. http://go.unl.edu/93ca
 I would use caution planting this week looking at the forecast.   Also, the insurance planting date is not until the 10th for eastern NE and the 15th for western NE.