Weather
Rains increasing over parts of the Corn Belt
On the Plains, clusters of showers and thunderstorms are associated with a developing low-pressure system. The rain is slowing fieldwork, including winter wheat harvesting, but generally benefiting rangeland, pastures and summer crops. Although the southern Plains’ winter wheat harvest remains behind schedule, recent dry weather had allowed Oklahoma’s harvest to jump from 5 to 34% complete during the week ending June 12.
Across the Corn Belt, increasingly showery weather is slowing final planting efforts but boosting soil moisture for corn and soybean growth. By June 12, topsoil moisture was rated one-quarter to one-half very short to short in Michigan (46%), Indiana (31%), Ohio (31%), and Missouri (28%).
In the South, isolated showers and thunderstorms are heaviest across portions of the lower Mississippi Valley. However, many areas across the interior Southeast would benefit from additional rainfall; on June 12, topsoil moisture was rated 55% very short to short in Alabama, along with 40% in Georgia and 33% in Mississippi.
In the West, cool weather prevails. In the Northwest, widespread precipitation is benefiting spring-sown small grains. Snow is accumulating in the northern Cascades at elevations above 5,000 feet.
Forecast High Temperatures (National)
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