Weather

Late-season heat covers much of the Plains, Midwest

On the Plains, hot, dry weather favors summer crop maturation and fieldwork, including winter wheat planting preparations. However, late-season heat also continues to adversely affect rangeland and pastures.

Across the Corn Belt, hot, dry weather is promoting summer crop maturation and early-season harvest activities, but is maintaining stress on drought-affected pastures.

In the South, Tropical Storm Isaac was centered 35 miles southeast of Alexandria, Louisiana as of early Thursday morning. The storm is moving toward the northwest at 8 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Torrential rains persist in lower Mississippi Valley, primarily north and east of the storm’s center.

In the West, late-season warmth continues to promote crop maturation and fieldwork, including Northwestern spring wheat harvesting. Cool conditions are limited to areas along the Pacific Coast, while isolated showers are mostly confined to the Southwest.