Weather

Scattered rains, storms on the Plains; extreme heat/humidity Texas; fair, dry in the Corn Belt

Across the Corn Belt, dry weather prevails.  Smoky, hazy conditions associated with Canadian wildfires continue to affect the Midwest.  Generally cool weather prevails, although a ribbon of warmth could push temperatures to 90°F or higher later Friday in parts of the western Corn Belt.  Producers continue to report varying degrees of drought stress on corn and soybeans, with less than 50% of both crops rated in good to excellent condition in Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. 

On the Plains, heat is intensifying across Texas, excluding the state’s northern panhandle.  In Midland, Texas, where year-to-date precipitation has totaled 1.46 inches (29% of normal), Wednesday’s high temperature reached 103°F.  Meanwhile, showers dot the northern and central Plains, accompanied by a temporary turn toward cooler weather. 

In the South, active weather prevails from eastern Texas to northern Florida, with numerous thunderstorms reported early Friday.  In contrast, hot, dry weather is intensifying in the western Gulf Coast region, where Friday’s high temperatures will approach or reach 100°F.  Except in areas where rain is falling, fieldwork—including cutting hay and harvesting winter wheat—is rapidly proceeding.  In Arkansas, 33% of the winter wheat had been harvested by June 11. 

In the West, cool, mostly dry weather favors fieldwork.  However, showers are occurring in a few areas, especially in Wyoming.  In portions of the interior Northwest, soil moisture shortages are adversely affecting winter wheat and some spring-sown crops.  On June 11, Washington led the nation with 22% of its spring wheat rated very poor to poor.