Weather

Favorable early-autumn weather for most; a range of temps across the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, dry weather is promoting summer crop maturation and harvesting, except in parts of the Ohio Valley where recent heavy rain has slowed fieldwork.  By September 29, more than one-quarter (26%) of the U.S. soybeans had been harvested, along with 21% of the corn, versus the 5-year average of 18% for both crops.  Wednesday’s Midwestern high temperatures will range from near 70°F in the eastern Corn Belt to 85°F or higher in many western production areas.

On the Plains, summer-like heat from South Dakota to Texas favors summer crop maturation and harvesting, as well as winter wheat planting.  However, the spell of warm, dry weather has reduced or depleted topsoil moisture for winter wheat emergence and establishment, leading some producers to delay seeding until rain returns.  Wednesday’s high temperatures could reach 90°F as far north as South Dakota, with somewhat cooler conditions limited to Montana and North Dakota.

In the South, warm, humid, showery weather persists across Florida’s peninsula.  Meanwhile, rescue and recovery efforts continue in flood-ravaged areas of the southern Appalachians amid a favorably warm, dry weather regime.  Additionally, Southeastern producers are further assessing damage to crops and farm infrastructure related to Hurricane Helene’s wind, rainfall, and flooding.

In the West, lingering cool weather is limited to the Pacific Northwest.  Elsewhere, unusual warmth accompanies dry conditions.  Many Northwestern rangeland and pastures remain in poor shape, with limited time available for recovery before grasses become dormant for winter.  On September 29, Washington led the western U.S. with 72% of its rangeland and pastures rated in very poor to poor condition.