Warmth across the Plains, Midwest

On the Plains, scattered thunderstorms across northern areas are causing minor wheat harvest delays. On the southern Plains, pastures and summer crops continue to benefit from abundant soil moisture reserves, despite a recent drying trend.

Across the Corn Belt, warm, mostly dry weather and abundant soil moisture levels are maintaining generally favorable growing conditions for reproductive to filling corn and soybeans. Some lowland flooding lingers, however, mainly in the middle Mississippi Valley.

In the South, hot weather is maintaining stress on pastures and rain-fed summer crops in parts of the Atlantic Coast States. In Virginia, for example, USDA rated 37% of the cotton crop in very poor to poor condition on July 25, along with 71% of the pastureland.

In the West, isolated showers are mostly confined to Arizona and Utah. Cool weather prevails along the immediate Pacific Coast, but hot weather elsewhere in the West favors rapid crop development. Wildfires remain a threat in parts of California and the Great Basin.

Second wettest June on record across Illinois

Illinois has experienced the second wettest June on record, based on preliminary data. The statewide average precipitation for June was 7.8 inches, 3.7 inches above normal, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.

The wettest June on record was in 1902 with 8.4 inches of rainfall. Statewide records extend back to 1895.

The largest rainfall totals occurred in the northern two-thirds of the state where amounts of 7 to 13 inches were common. Meanwhile, far southern Illinois remained closer to normal with amounts ranging from 3 to 6 inches.

Some long-term precipitation gauge sites set records for their wettest June. These include Galesburg with 13.24 inches, Havana with 10.58 inches, and Lincoln with 10.79 inches.

The statewide average temperature for June was 74.9 degrees, 3 degrees above normal. Based on preliminary data, this is the tenth warmest June. The warmest June on record was in 1934 with 78.5 degrees.

Of the 10 wettest Junes in Illinois history, in 7 out of 10 cases rainfall returned to within an inch of normal in July and August. Only in 1993 did the wet conditions persist during the next two months. Drier conditions occurred in July and August only in 1945 and 1947.

Illinois State Water Survey

Heat returning to the Heartland

On the Plains, showers and thunderstorms in Montana and the Dakotas are slowing winter wheat harvesting but aiding immature, spring-sown small grains. Meanwhile, hot weather is temporarily returning to the central Plains in advance of a cold front.

Across the Corn Belt, very warm, mostly dry weather and abundant soil moisture reserves are promoting rapid crop development. According to USDA, 84% of the nation’s corn had reached the silking stage by July 25, while 35% of the soybeans were setting pods. Five-year averages for July 25 are 70% for corn silking and 31% for soybeans setting pods.

In the South, showers are providing localized relief from hot, dry conditions. However, more rain is needed—especially from the Mid-South into the southern Mid-Atlantic region—to prevent further stress on pastures and immature summer crops.

In the West, scattered showers are providing beneficial moisture from Arizona northward into the Intermountain region. In the West Coast States, warm, dry weather is promoting fieldwork and crop development—although chilly conditions linger along the Pacific Coast.