Weather

Heat wave continues throughout the Heartland

On the Plains, hot, mostly dry weather prevails. Heat is maintaining stress on both rain-fed and irrigated summer crops, especially on the central Plains. Meanwhile, the winter wheat harvest is nearing completion on the central Plains and advancing onto the northern Plains.

Across the Corn Belt, Unfavorably hot, dry weather covers the remainder of the Midwest. By July 1, one-fifth to one-half of both corn and soybeans were rated very poor to poor in Indiana (50 and 43%, respectively, for corn and soybeans), Missouri (48 and 49%), Illinois (33 and 31%), Michigan (28 and 27%), Ohio (26 and 30%), and Wisconsin (24 and 25%).

In the South, temperatures have fallen slightly from recent record-high levels but remain above normal. Despite the ongoing heat wave, conditions remain mostly favorable for crops such as peanuts and rice. However, stress is apparent on some reproductive summer crops, including corn and soybeans. On July 1, nearly half of Kentucky’s corn and soybeans (48 and 40%, respectively) were rated very poor to poor.

In the West, cool weather in the Pacific Coast States contrasts with lingering warmth farther inland. In the Four-Corners States, an increase in the coverage and intensity of monsoon shower activity is aiding wildfire containment efforts. Showers are also affecting the northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest.