Weather

Harvest delays dominate parts of the northern Corn Belt

Across the Corn Belt, late-season warmth in the Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys is promoting corn and soybean maturation and harvesting. In contrast, cool, recently rainy weather is affecting portions of the northern Corn Belt, causing renewed fieldwork delays. A weekend cold snap ended the growing season across large sections of Minnesota and Wisconsin, although most corn and soybeans were mature enough to withstand the freeze.

On the Plains, warm, dry weather across the southern half of the region is ideal for summer crop maturation and harvesting. In contrast, cool weather prevails on the northern Plains, accompanied by lingering showers. Recent freezes broadly ended the growing season in Montana and North Dakota.

In the South, favorably dry weather prevails in the southern Mid-Atlantic region, where hurricane- and flood recovery efforts continue. Currently, shower activity has shifted to the Deep South, from coastal Texas to Florida, while summer-like warmth prevails throughout the region.

In the West, tropical showers in advance of rapidly weakening Tropical Storm Rosa are overspreading Arizona, slowing or halting fieldwork but providing some drought relief. More than a week ago, on September 23, the Arizona cotton harvest was 19% complete, while bolls were 96% open.

Weather Alerts