Weather

Late-Summer heat across much of the Heartland

Across the Corn Belt, showers are occurring early Tuesday in Indiana and environs. Despite last week’s favorable weather, U.S. corn was just 34% mature by September 17, well behind the average of 47%. Corn maturity was at least 15 percentage points behind average in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas.

On the Plains, late-season heat prevails from Nebraska southward, reducing topsoil moisture for newly planted winter wheat but promoting fieldwork. Meanwhile, cool, showery weather is returning to Montana, where topsoil moisture rated very short to short improved from 99 to 65% during the week ending September 17.

In the South, warm, mostly dry weather favors fieldwork. The U.S. rice harvest passed the halfway mark during the week ending September 17, with progress advancing from 41 to 59% in Arkansas.

In the West, a significant, early-season storm is providing the northern half of the region with cool, showery conditions. The boost in Northwestern moisture will benefit rangeland, pastures, and recently planted winter grains. On the 17th, Washington led the U.S. with 43% of its winter wheat planted.

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