Weather

Hot weather continues in the southernmost plains; temperatures are pleasant in the Corn Belt

Dry weather prevails across the Corn Belt, while highs on Monday are expected to range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. With corn and soybean development largely at or faster than normal in the Midwest, this week’s cool weather should not be a cause for concern. However, heat is still needed in the far upper Midwest, where crop development is lagging behind normal. In Minnesota, 64% of soybeans were forming pods on August 11, compared to the 5-year average of 81%.

On the Plains, record-breaking heat across much of Texas and Oklahoma is putting continued pressure on rangelands, pastures and immature summer crops. On Sunday, August 18, a record daily temperature of 110°F was recorded in Lawton, Oklahoma. For Lawton, this was the highest since September 8, 2023. Elsewhere, above-average temperatures on the northern Plains are promoting the ripening and harvest of small grains, while cooler air spreads across the central Plains. A few showers are moving in across Montana early Monday.

To the south, thunderstorms in the Gulf Coast region will moderate the heat but create very humid conditions. However, extreme heat will persist across much of East Texas, where highs on Monday should generally be in the 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit (38-40 degrees Celsius) away from the immediate coast. In contrast, pleasant, mostly dry weather in the Southeast will favor ripening of summer crops and early harvest efforts for crops such as corn.

In the west, the southwest monsoon circulation has re-established itself and is interacting with a frontal boundary extending over the northern plateaus. As a result, clouds and some showers are spreading northwards from the Four Corners region. Meanwhile, dry weather in the far west is favouring field work and crop development.