Spotty showers and moderate temperatures maintained generally favorable growing conditions for Midwestern corn and soybeans. Showers were heaviest in separate strips across the northern and southern Corn Belt, respectively, with several locations reporting 2-to 4-inch weekly totals.

Meanwhile, locally heavy showers also peppered the northern and central Plains, while the aforementioned heat baked much of the southern Plains. Conditions were less harsh on the southern High Plains, where heat was less intense and showers occurred early in the week and again at week’s end.

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A strengthening ridge of high pressure led to hot, dry conditions in the south-central U.S., stretching as far east as the lower Mississippi Valley. In the ridge-affected areas, multiple days of triple-digit heat further reduced topsoil moisture and caused deterioration in the health of pastures and immature summer crops. In contrast, slightly cooler weather accompanied a mid- to late-week increase in Southeastern shower activity. Despite the showers, pockets of drought persisted in the southern Atlantic States.

Elsewhere, mostly dry weather dominated the Northeast and Far West, while surges of monsoon-related showers spread northward from the Four Corners States. Roughly three dozen wildfires remained active in the Pacific Coast States, although cooler conditions aided containment efforts.

Download the full weather report from USDA.