Weather
Excessively wet pattern continues in parts of the Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, unsettled, showery weather prevails, especially along an axis stretching from the lower Missouri Valley into the lower Great Lakes region. Except in areas where recent rainfall has been excessive, such as northern Missouri, corn and soybeans are generally benefiting from the early-summer rainfall. However, parts of the upper Midwest have missed out on most of the rain, leaving soils unfavorably dry as summer crops begin to enter reproduction.
On the Plains, relatively cool weather accompanies scattered showers, especially from Nebraska southward. The central and southern Plains’ rain is slowing winter wheat harvesting but generally benefiting summer crops. Meanwhile, stubborn drought on the northern Plains is maintaining stress on rangeland, pastures, winter grains, and spring-sown crops.
In the South, a small but well-defined low-pressure system less than 200 miles east of the southern Atlantic Coast is drifting westward. The remainder of the mainland Southeast is experiencing hot, mostly dry weather, while the threat of showers continues across Florida. Elsewhere, humid, showery weather prevails west of the Mississippi Delta.
In the West, an unprecedented Northwestern heat wave continues to threaten the health of humans and livestock, in part due to lack of acclimatization to such extreme conditions. In addition, Northwestern rangeland, pastures, and rain-fed crops are suffering due to lack of moisture and record-setting heat. On June 27, temperatures in Oregon soared to 113°F in Salem and 112°F in Portland, setting all-time records. Hot, dry weather also covers the remainder of the western U.S. except in the central and southern Rockies, where some showers are occurring.
