Weather

Periodic rains across the Heartland; heat wave pattern across the southern U.S.

Across the Corn Belt, robust shower and thunderstorm activity stretches from Nebraska to Ohio.  The rain is greatly benefiting corn and soybeans, especially in drier areas of the Midwest.  On July 3, prior to the rain’s arrival, topsoil moisture was rated more than one-half very short in five Midwestern States: Indiana (72%), Ohio (66%), Michigan (64%), Nebraska (60%), and Missouri (51%).  Lingering extreme heat and oppressive humidity levels are confined to the southern tier of the Corn Belt, where Wednesday’s high temperatures will approach 100°F.

Across the Corn Belt, robust shower and thunderstorm activity stretches from Nebraska to Ohio.  The rain is greatly benefiting corn and soybeans, especially in drier areas of the Midwest.  On July 3, prior to the rain’s arrival, topsoil moisture was rated more than one-half very short in five Midwestern States: Indiana (72%), Ohio (66%), Michigan (64%), Nebraska (60%), and Missouri (51%).  Lingering extreme heat and oppressive humidity levels are confined to the southern tier of the Corn Belt, where Wednesday’s high temperatures will approach 100°F.

In the South, dangerously hot, humid conditions are maintaining significant stress on poultry and livestock.  Wednesday’s high temperatures will exceed 100°F in portions of the mid-South, including lower elevations of Arkansas.  The heat is also stressing reproductive summer crops, especially in areas where soil moisture is lacking.  On July 3, topsoil moisture was rated more than one-half very short to short in eight Southern States, led by Kentucky (84%) and Arkansas (80%).

In the West, widely scattered showers are generally confined to the central Rockies and the Pacific Northwest.  Elsewhere, dry weather accompanies a gradual warming trend.