Weather
A brief, tranquil pattern across the Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, producers in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and portions of neighboring states are assessing the impacts of Monday’s high winds. Gusts of 60 to 100 mph were reported across a broad area, flattening some corn fields and causing scattered to widespread damage to farm buildings and equipment. Currently, pleasant temperatures and tranquil conditions have returned across much of the Midwest, following Monday’s fierce thunderstorms.
On the Plains, heat is starting to build, primarily across the western half of the region. During the transition to a hotter weather pattern, scattered showers linger in several areas. However, drought impacts persist across the central and southern High Plains; on August 9, Colorado led the nation (among major production states) with 38% of its sorghum rated in very poor to poor condition, along with 37% of its corn.
In the South, warm, humid weather is maintaining generally favorable growing conditions for pastures and summer crops. On August 9, more than three-quarters (76%) of the U.S. rice and 73% of the peanuts were rated in good to excellent condition. The rice harvest is well underway in the western Gulf Coast region, led by Louisiana (48% complete).
In the West, mostly dry weather accompanies near- or above-normal temperatures. The hottest weather is occurring in the Desert Southwest, where Wednesday’s high temperatures will reach or exceed 110° in many locations. Farther north, an elevated threat of wildfires exists across much of the interior West. However, dry weather also favors harvesting of Northwestern crops such as barley, spring wheat, and winter wheat.
