Weather
Abundant soil moisture across the Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, widespread showers are slowing fieldwork but maintaining adequate to abundant moisture reserves for corn and soybeans. On June 14, topsoil moisture was rated at least half surplus in Missouri (55%) and Michigan (53%). Currently, some of the heaviest rain is falling from Ohio to Missouri.
On the Plains, most areas are experiencing cool, dry weather. However, heavy rain from Tropical Depression Bill is grazing the southeastern Plains, causing renewed flooding and fieldwork delays.
In the South, Tropical Depression Bill is advancing northward across eastern Texas. Early Wednesday morning, the former tropical storm was centered about 45 miles south of Waco, Texas. Rainfall associated with the storm is causing widespread flooding, especially in areas where lakes were already full and rivers were running high in advance of Bill’s arrival. Heavy thunderstorms linger along the Texas coast. In contrast, hot, dry weather in the Southeast is reducing topsoil moisture and increasing stress on pastures and rain-fed summer crops.
In the West, hot, dry weather is promoting a rapid pace of crop development but boosting irrigation demands. In California, crop progress is substantially ahead of the 5-year average for cotton squaring (75% observed vs. the average of 21%) and winter wheat harvested (60 vs. 37%).
Forecast High Temperatures (National)
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