Note to readers: This report is produced without live weather feeds. The “last 24 hours” recap is a generalized overview of typical early-September patterns, and the 7‑day outlook describes expected regional tendencies and risks. Always verify details with your local National Weather Service office before field operations.

National Snapshot for U.S. Agricultural Regions

Late-summer conditions continue across most growing areas. A wavering frontal boundary favors scattered thunderstorms from portions of the Plains into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, while the Southern Plains and parts of the interior West trend hot and mostly dry. Daily sea-breeze storms remain a feature along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeast. Western production regions stay largely rain-free outside of isolated mountain convection. The Atlantic hurricane season is near its climatological peak; while no specific storm track is highlighted here, growers from the western Gulf Coast to the Carolinas should maintain heightened awareness for tropical moisture intrusions.

Key themes observed over the past day (generalized)

• Widely scattered to locally strong thunderstorms along and ahead of a late-summer front across parts of the central and northern Plains into the Upper Midwest, producing brief downpours, lightning, and spotty wind gusts.
• Persisting heat across the Southern Plains and portions of the interior Southwest, increasing livestock heat stress and irrigation demand.
• Routine, humid afternoon storms across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, producing uneven rainfall with pockets of heavy totals and nearby dry misses.
• Mostly dry conditions across California’s Central Valley and the Pacific Northwest’s lowlands; isolated mountain convection in the Rockies/Four Corners.

7-day national outlook at a glance

• Storm track: One to two frontal passages will sweep from the northern Rockies/Plains into the Midwest and East, bringing periodic thunderstorm clusters and a brief cool-down behind each front.
• Heat: Persistent warmth in the Southern Plains and desert Southwest; near- to slightly-above-normal highs expand into the central U.S. late week as ridging rebuilds.
• Moisture: Best rain chances from the central/northern Plains into the Corn Belt and Great Lakes with frontal waves; daily Gulf/Southeast storms continue. West mostly dry except localized high-elevation showers.
• Tropics: Low-to-moderate risk that tropical moisture influences the western or central Gulf Coast and/or the Southeast late in the period; confidence is lower on specifics.

Regional Detail and Field Implications

Midwest and Corn Belt (Dakotas to Ohio Valley)

Recent conditions (past 24 hours, generalized): Scattered thunderstorms from the Dakotas through Minnesota/Wisconsin and into parts of Iowa/Illinois/Indiana, with locally heavy rain and gusty winds near storms; otherwise warm and humid ahead of fronts, cooler behind.

Next 7 days:

• Early–Midweek: A front pushes southeast with additional storm clusters from the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota through Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and into Michigan/Indiana/Ohio. Local downpours and brief wind gusts possible; uneven coverage may leave some fields dry.
• Late Week–Weekend: Briefly cooler/less humid north; a warmer spell redevelops central/western Corn Belt with highs trending upper 70s to upper 80s (locally low 90s west). Periodic showers could redevelop on the periphery of the ridge, especially around the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
• Ag impacts: Sporadic rain may slow silage and early soybean/corn harvest windows but benefits late-maturing crops and pasture. Watch for lodging in storm-prone zones and leaf disease pressure in dense canopies. Spray opportunities improve the day after frontal passage with lighter winds and lower humidity.

Northern Plains (MT/ND/SD/eastern WY)

Recent conditions: Hit-or-miss storms along frontal boundaries; otherwise breezy periods and seasonable to warm temperatures.

Next 7 days:

• One or two frontal waves bring scattered storms early to midweek, mainly ND/SD and into western Minnesota; drier breaks follow with cooler mornings.
• Late week warms again under building ridging; highs generally 70s/80s, warmer toward the western Dakotas.
• Ag impacts: Harvest windows expand between storm days; brief heavy rain could cause short-lived fieldwork delays. Light post-frontal breezes will aid dry-down but monitor fire weather where fuels are cured.

Southern Plains and Texas

Recent conditions: Hot, mostly dry across much of Texas and Oklahoma; isolated storms near boundaries or higher terrain. Elevated heat stress for livestock.

Next 7 days:

• Persistent heat with widespread highs upper 90s to near/above 100°F in interior Texas; 90s elsewhere. Limited storm chances except isolated afternoon/evening cells or along weak boundaries.
• Late week: Slight uptick in Gulf moisture along the coastal plain; any tropical influence would increase rainfall risk, but confidence on specifics is low.
• Ag impacts: High evapotranspiration rates; continue aggressive irrigation scheduling where available. Cotton bolls opening are vulnerable to heat stress but benefit from dry pick windows. Monitor water and shade for livestock.

Delta and Mid-South (AR, LA, MS, western TN/KY)

Recent conditions: Warm and humid with scattered afternoon/evening storms, especially closer to the Gulf moisture feed.

Next 7 days:

• Frequent, but uneven, thunderstorm chances most days, highest south and east. Any tropical moisture later in the period could locally enhance rainfall.
• Temperatures near to slightly above normal; highs generally mid-80s to low 90s with muggy nights.
• Ag impacts: Intermittent harvest delays for rice and early soybeans in storm-favored corridors; disease pressure remains elevated for late soybeans and specialty crops. Cotton quality sensitive to repeated wettings—use dry breaks to move modules.

Southeast and Florida

Recent conditions: Typical late-summer pattern with daily sea-breeze thunderstorms, locally heavy rain, and lightning; hot and humid between storms.

Next 7 days:

• Daily storm chances continue, greatest along Gulf/Atlantic sea-breeze convergence and the Appalachians’ foothills. Localized totals can be heavy while nearby areas miss out.
• Watch for a low-to-moderate risk of tropical moisture later in the period that could enhance rainfall, especially along the Gulf or Atlantic coasts.
• Ag impacts: Frequent wetting favors foliar diseases in peanuts, vegetables, and late soybeans; plan fungicide applications around drier mornings. Short, steamy work windows midday; lightning safety remains a priority.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Recent conditions: Scattered showers/thunder near passing fronts; otherwise late-summer warmth and humidity with cooler, less humid air behind fronts.

Next 7 days:

• Early–Midweek: One frontal passage brings showers/storms; locally gusty winds possible with stronger cells.
• Late week: Drier, pleasant stretch for hay and specialty crop harvests; warm afternoons and cool nights inland.
• Ag impacts: Good haying windows after frontal passage; orchards and vineyards benefit from drier late-week weather. Brief, heavy downpours could cause localized erosion on sloped fields during frontal activity.

Southwest and Four Corners

Recent conditions: Isolated mountain-driven storms; hot in the deserts with broad dryness otherwise.

Next 7 days:

• Monsoon signal continues to fade; isolated to scattered afternoon storms mainly over higher terrain in AZ/NM/CO/UT, with outflow winds.
• Desert highs commonly 100–108°F; slightly lower near any cloud cover/outflow.
• Ag impacts: High irrigation demand and heat stress on field workers/livestock; outflow gusts and dry lightning can elevate fire-weather concerns and complicate spray timing.

California (Central Valley, coastal growing regions, desert production)

Recent conditions: Predominantly dry; warm to hot inland, mild along the immediate coast with marine influence.

Next 7 days:

• Central Valley: Seasonably hot afternoons (generally 85–95°F north to central; locally hotter south), cool nights. Dry.
• Coastal: Morning marine layer with afternoon clearing; minimal precip risk.
• Desert production: Hot with occasional breezy afternoons; dry.
• Ag impacts: Favorable harvest run for grapes, nuts, tomatoes under stable dry weather. Manage heat exposure for crews during peak afternoon hours; dust control near harvest operations.

Pacific Northwest (WA/OR/ID lowlands)

Recent conditions: Mostly dry with seasonable temperatures; spotty high-elevation showers east of the Cascades.

Next 7 days:

• Overall lean-dry pattern continues; a weak disturbance could bring light showers mainly to coastal ranges and higher terrain mid- to late week.
• Temperatures near seasonal to slightly warm inland; cooler along the coast with marine influence.
• Ag impacts: Good harvest continuity for small grains and specialty crops; monitor air quality if regional wildfire smoke drifts into valleys.

Intermountain West and Rockies (NV/UT/ID high valleys/CO/WY/MT high country)

Recent conditions: Isolated mountain storms, otherwise dry with large day–night temperature swings.

Next 7 days:

• Scattered afternoon convection remains possible over higher elevations, most numerous early in the week; valleys stay largely dry.
• Cooler mornings in high basins; warm afternoons. Breezy periods with frontal passages north.
• Ag impacts: Generally favorable curing/dry-down; watch for localized downpours, small hail, and lightning in mountain-adjacent fields.

Day-by-Day Planning Guide (National Tendencies)

• Day 1–2: Frontal storms likely from northern Plains into Upper Midwest/Great Lakes; Gulf/Southeast storms daily; hot and dry bias Southern Plains and deserts; West Coast dry.
• Day 3–4: Front settles into the Midwest/Ohio/Tennessee Valleys with scattered storms; cooler/drier breaks north; continued heat south-central U.S.; isolated Four Corners convection.
• Day 5–7: Ridge rebuilds central U.S. with warmer temps; periodic showers may redevelop around the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes; Southeast remains storm-prone; monitor for any tropical moisture near Gulf/SE coast.

Operational Considerations

• Fieldwork windows: Best multi-hour dry stretches likely in California, much of the Pacific Northwest lowlands, parts of the northern Plains between fronts, and portions of the central/western Corn Belt late week. Shorter windows in the Southeast/Gulf Coast due to daily storms.
• Harvest and quality: Intermittent storms may slow early corn/soy/bean/rice harvests in the Midwest and Delta; plan around post-frontal dry air for better grain drying. Cotton quality sensitive to repeated wetting—stage modules during stable periods.
• Livestock heat stress: Elevated risk in Texas/Oklahoma and desert Southwest through the week—ensure ample water, shade, and adjust handling to cooler periods.
• Disease and pests: High humidity and frequent leaf wetness in the Southeast/Delta favor foliar diseases in peanuts, soybeans, vegetables, and cotton; scout after rainy spells. Stormy belts in the Midwest may see upticks in stalk/ear rots—prioritize harvest in highest-risk fields.
• Soil moisture: Local recharge under thunderstorm tracks from the Plains into the Midwest; however, spatial variability remains high—adjacent fields may miss meaningful rain.
• Wind and spray: Post-frontal days generally offer lighter winds and lower humidity for spraying in the Corn Belt and Northeast; watch outflow boundaries near storms and breezy afternoons in the West.

Risk Watchlist

• Severe thunderstorms: Low to locally moderate risk along frontal zones from the northern/central Plains into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes early–midweek; hazards include strong winds, lightning, and brief downpours.
• Excessive heat: Moderate to high risk in the Southern Plains and desert Southwest all week; moderate risk expanding into parts of the central U.S. late week.
• Tropical influence: Low-to-moderate risk of enhanced rainfall for the Gulf Coast or Southeast late in the period; track updates from NHC/NWS.
• Fire weather and smoke: Periods of dry, breezy conditions in the interior West and northern High Plains could elevate fire weather locally; monitor air quality for labor planning.

Bottom Line

Expect a stop-and-go pattern for fieldwork across the central and eastern U.S. as one or two fronts bring scattered thunderstorms and brief cool-downs, while the South and Southwest stay hot with limited, uneven rainfall. The West remains largely dry, supporting steady harvest progress. Keep contingency plans for late-week tropical moisture along parts of the Gulf or Southeast coasts, and leverage post-frontal dry air for harvest, hay, and spray operations where possible.

For local, hour-by-hour details and warnings, consult your nearest National Weather Service office.