Weather

Largely favorable, fair, mild weather covering the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, mild, mostly dry weather favors corn and soybean maturation and harvesting, although showers associated with a weak cold front are sweeping toward the upper Mississippi Valley.

On the Plains, late-season warmth prevails nearly region wide, though clouds and a few showers are keeping temperatures cooler on the southern High Plains.  Dry weather continues, with many growing areas in need of moisture for winter wheat establishment; as of October 2, topsoil moisture was rated 80 percent or more short to very short from Montana southward to Texas and New Mexico, save for Colorado at 68 percent.

In the South, cool, dry conditions prevail, except for lingering cloudiness and showers near the middle Atlantic Coast.  Producers in the Carolinas and Virginia are likely resuming harvest activities after Ian’s rainfall, which was overall beneficial for drought relief.  Meanwhile in Florida, rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing in the hardest-hit areas near Fort Myers; farther inland, moderate to major flooding continues in parts of the Peace and Saint Johns River basins. 

In the South, cool, dry conditions prevail, except for lingering cloudiness and showers near the middle Atlantic Coast.  Producers in the Carolinas and Virginia are likely resuming harvest activities after Ian’s rainfall, which was overall beneficial for drought relief.  Meanwhile in Florida, rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing in the hardest-hit areas near Fort Myers; farther inland, moderate to major flooding continues in parts of the Peace and Saint Johns River basins.