Weather

Hot weather on the Plains, seasonal temps across the Corn Belt; showers, t-storms return to the northwest

Across the Corn Belt, showers and thunderstorms extend southwestward from the upper Great Lakes region. Until recently, parts of the upper Midwest had been trending dry; currently, most Corn Belt summer crops have adequate to locally surplus soil moisture—and are experiencing favorable temperatures—as they move into and through reproduction.

On the Plains, a weak frontal boundary is helping to spark a few showers in the Dakotas and environs. However, small grain producers on the northern Plains are eyeing an upcoming heat wave that is expected to peak during the weekend. On July 5, sixty percent of the U.S. barley had headed, along with 54% of the spring wheat. Farther south, warm weather favors summer crop development, except in areas with lingering soil moisture shortages. On July 5, Colorado led the region with topsoil moisture rated 82% very short to short.

In the South, warm, humid weather continues. Continuing a recent theme, afternoon and evening showers will continue to provide local relief in areas—such as the southern Atlantic States—still experiencing lingering drought impacts.

In the West, wildfire ignition and expansion are ongoing concerns in the Great Basin, Intermountain West, and interior Northwest. At least ten active Western wildfires have burned more than 10,000 acres of vegetation. Hot, breezy weather prevails, except along and near the Pacific Coast, while monsoon-related shower activity has not become well established.