Weather

Hot in much of the Heartland; new, scattered storms develop

Across the Corn Belt, a few thundershowers are occurring early Thursday, mainly west of the Mississippi River. Elsewhere, dry weather favors final summer crop planting but continues to reduce topsoil moisture. By June 13, nearly all (94%) of the intended U.S. soybean acreage had been planted. Rapid crop development and hot conditions are accelerating the loss of topsoil moisture; Thursday’s high temperatures may approach 105°F in southeastern Nebraska and environs.

On the Plains, dry weather continues to promote late-season planting efforts and winter wheat maturation and harvesting. On June 13, most (90%) of the intended U.S. cotton acreage had been planted, along with 79% of the sunflowers and 72% of the sorghum. Slightly cooler air is overspreading the northern Plains, where Thursday’s high temperatures will remain mostly below 90°F, but extremely hot weather (readings as high as 105°F) covers the central and southern Plains.

In the South, mostly dry weather and pleasant temperatures are ideal for fieldwork and reducing the coverage of areas experiencing excessive wetness. However, warm, humid, showery weather lingers across parts of Florida.

In the West, a stunning, early-season heat wave continues across much of the nation’s southwestern quadrant. On June 16, Las Vegas, Nevada (116°F), and Grand Junction, Colorado (105°F), were 1°F shy of respective all-time station records. In addition to the Southwestern heat, which is maintaining heavy irrigation demands and compounding stress on rangeland and pastures, dry thunderstorms and breezy conditions could lead to wildfire ignition and expansion.

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