Weather
Welcome rains across parts of the eastern Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, near- or below-normal temperatures are benefiting reproductive summer crops. In addition, rain is falling early Wednesday in some of the driest areas of the eastern Corn Belt. Among Midwestern States, Ohio led on July 19 with 16% of its corn and 14% of its soybeans rated in very poor to poor condition.
On the Plains, mild, mostly dry weather prevails, although showers linger across Nebraska and portions of neighboring states. Soil moisture shortages remain a concern in some areas, particularly across the southern half of the High Plains. On July 19, topsoil moisture was rated 74% very short to short in Texas, along with 71% in Colorado. On that date, Colorado led the nation in very poor to poor ratings for sorghum (29%) and corn (23%), among major production states.
In the South, a tropical wave affecting Florida is producing locally heavy showers. Meanwhile, rain is also falling in the lower Mississippi Valley and environs. Across the remainder of the region, warm, humid weather favors a rapid pace of crop development. On July 19, nearly three-quarters (73%) of the U.S. rice and 71% of the peanuts were rated in good to excellent condition.
In the West, an active monsoon circulation is contributing to scattered shower activity in the Four Corners region and parts of the Great Basin. Meanwhile, hot weather in the Northwest continues to promote winter wheat harvesting and other fieldwork.
