Overview

Late-summer weather across U.S. agricultural regions continues to balance harvest preparations, late-season crop development, and rangeland conditions. Over the past day, most growing areas experienced a mix of seasonable warmth with pockets of thunderstorms and locally heavy downpours, especially where late-day heating interacted with lingering boundaries. Looking ahead, the next seven days feature a classic September pattern: warm-to-hot spells in portions of the Plains and South, periodic fronts sweeping the Northern Tier and Midwest with rounds of showers and storms, and a continued eye on the tropics for potential Gulf and Southeast rainfall boosts. Day-to-day details will vary locally, but regional tendencies are outlined below for planning fieldwork, irrigation, and harvest logistics.

Last 24 Hours: Regional Conditions

Note: Conditions below describe prevailing themes commonly reported across each region over the past day; localized variations are expected.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (IA, IL, IN, OH, MN, WI, MO)

  • Mixed conditions with pockets of afternoon thunderstorms producing locally heavy rain and gusty winds; many areas remained dry enough for continued fieldwork windows.
  • Temperatures ran near to slightly above seasonal norms, maintaining late-season crop maturity momentum.

Northern Plains (ND, SD, MT) and Red River Valley

  • Scattered showers and isolated storms in spots, with broad areas staying dry.
  • Comfortable late-summer temperatures; breezy periods in open country produced intermittent fire-weather concerns where vegetation is cured.

Central and Southern Plains (NE, KS, OK, TX Panhandle)

  • Generally warm with large diurnal ranges; isolated cells produced brief downpours and lightning.
  • Rangeland and dryland fields continued to draw on soil moisture; irrigated acreage saw steady demand.

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

  • Humid with spotty to scattered showers and storms; short-lived heavy rain where storms trained.
  • Heat index elevated during breaks in cloud cover; air felt steamy away from rainfall zones.

Southeast (GA, AL, FL, Carolinas)

  • Typical late-summer pattern: scattered afternoon thunderstorms, locally heavy with brief lightning delays for field operations.
  • Very warm and humid between storms; coastal zones saw breezier intervals.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

  • Widely variable: many locales saw a dry, warm day favorable for haying and harvest prep; a few pockets experienced brief showers.
  • Air quality generally fair, with occasional haze where regional smoke drifted aloft.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID wheat and pulses)

  • Mostly dry with seasonable to warm afternoons; elevated fire-weather sensitivity persisted in low-humidity periods.
  • Breezy canyon and basin winds at times; coastal and Cascade foothill clouds limited heat locally.

California Central Valley (nuts, vines, produce)

  • Dry, warm to hot; strong diurnal swings aided nighttime respiration for some crops.
  • Localized haze in the valley where smoke or dust pooled; irrigation continued at typical late-summer cadence.

Southwest and Desert Southwest (AZ, NM, West TX)

  • Isolated monsoon-type storms in higher terrain with dry, very warm to hot valley floors.
  • Outflow boundaries produced brief gusts and localized dust.

Intermountain West and Rockies (CO, UT, WY)

  • Mountain convection in the afternoon; valleys largely warm and dry between cells.
  • Breezy passes and exposed ridgelines; localized downpours where storms formed.

Seven-Day Agricultural Forecast

Timing guidance below is presented as early-week (Tue–Thu) and late-week into the weekend (Fri–Sun). Local conditions will vary; use this as a planning framework and consult local forecasts for exact timing.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest

  • Tue–Thu: A couple of frontal passages spark rounds of showers and thunderstorms, most numerous across the northern and central belt. Rain coverage looks scattered to locally widespread, with dry breaks for fieldwork between waves.
  • Fri–Sun: Drier interludes expand west-to-east, but lingering impulses may keep isolated to scattered storms in play, especially afternoons. Temperatures near to slightly above normal, supporting grain fill while limiting major heat stress.
  • Impacts: Intermittent harvest prep windows; monitor for localized lodging, hail, or ponding under stronger cells. Soil moisture recharge likely uneven.

Northern Plains

  • Tue–Thu: Fast-moving disturbances bring periodic light to moderate showers/storms, with many hours of dry time. Temperatures seasonable; cool mornings possible in high plains.
  • Fri–Sun: Trend toward drier, breezier conditions; a reinforcing front may knock highs back slightly, enhancing day–night temperature swings.
  • Impacts: Good progress windows overall; watch wind for small-grain residue management and fire weather on drier days.

Central and Southern Plains

  • Tue–Thu: Warm to hot with isolated to scattered late-day storms, most favored near boundaries and higher terrain. Many areas remain largely dry.
  • Fri–Sun: Continued warmth; slight uptick in storm chances on the periphery of passing fronts, but coverage still uneven.
  • Impacts: Sustained irrigation demand; heat stress on livestock during afternoons. Localized heavy rain where storms cluster, but broad drought relief limited.

Delta and Mid-South

  • Tue–Thu: Humid with daily storm chances, greatest in the afternoons and evenings. Some complexes may drop beneficial rain but also trigger brief fieldwork delays.
  • Fri–Sun: Similar pattern with subtle drying north; coastal influences could increase moisture south if tropical flow enhances.
  • Impacts: Stop-and-go harvest windows; monitor for grain moisture rebounds and post-storm lodging.

Southeast

  • Tue–Thu: Seasonally active thunderstorm pattern, with sea-breeze and piedmont boundaries focusing daily downpours. Very warm and muggy.
  • Fri–Sun: Continued scattered storms; any tropical moisture feed would raise rain coverage along the Gulf/Atlantic coastal plain.
  • Impacts: Short harvest and haying windows between storms; rapid drying in sun and breeze, but watch for flash-flood-prone spots.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

  • Tue–Thu: A front brings showers/storms in waves, followed by cooler, less humid air north to south.
  • Fri–Sun: Generally fair with seasonable days and cool nights; a couple of weak disturbances may spark isolated showers in uplands.
  • Impacts: Good late-week haying stretch after frontal passage; reduced disease pressure with drier air.

Pacific Northwest

  • Tue–Thu: Mostly dry; onshore flow may bring coastal clouds and a few mountain sprinkles. Inland basins warm afternoons, cool nights.
  • Fri–Sun: Slight increase in cloud cover and a low-end shower chance in Cascades; valleys largely remain dry.
  • Impacts: Favorable for small-grain logistics and fall-seeding prep; continue vigilance for fire weather on breezy, low-humidity days.

California Central Valley

  • Tue–Thu: Dry, warm to hot; evenings comfortable with strong radiational cooling.
  • Fri–Sun: Little change; perhaps a modest cool-down in the north with marine influence.
  • Impacts: Excellent harvest weather; maintain irrigation intervals and worker heat safety during peak afternoon warmth.

Southwest and Desert Southwest

  • Tue–Thu: Isolated to scattered mountain storms; hot, dry valleys with occasional outflow gusts and localized dust.
  • Fri–Sun: Slight uptick in storm coverage over higher terrain if subtropical moisture noses in; valley heat persists.
  • Impacts: Irrigation demand remains high; watch for lightning and downbursts near storms.

Intermountain West and Rockies

  • Tue–Thu: Daily mountain convection; valleys see brief, hit-or-miss showers with many productive hours.
  • Fri–Sun: Similar or slightly drier; cooler nights in high valleys.
  • Impacts: Manage haying around afternoon storm risk; elevated fire starts possible in dry thunderstorms.

Special Watches and Seasonal Factors

  • Tropics: Peak Atlantic hurricane season warrants close monitoring. Any Gulf or Southeast landfall or near-miss would sharply increase rainfall and wind risk in adjacent agricultural belts, while moisture remnants could arc inland to the Mid-South or Ohio Valley.
  • Wildfire smoke: Intermittent smoke intrusions remain possible in the West and sometimes into the Plains/North. Expect variable haze and occasional air-quality dips, especially mornings.
  • Heat stress: Afternoon heat indices will challenge livestock and outdoor labor in the Southern Plains, Delta, and parts of the Southeast. Implement shade, water, and adjusted work schedules.
  • Early chill: While a widespread early-season frost is unlikely this week for major row-crop areas, high-elevation valleys in the Rockies/Intermountain region may see chilly nights. Sensitive horticulture should be monitored.

Agronomic and Operational Guidance

  • Harvest and Haying: Target windows behind frontal passages in the Midwest/Northeast and during late-week fair stretches. In the Southeast/Delta, plan around daily storm cycles and allow for rapid post-storm drying.
  • Irrigation: Maintain schedules in California, the Southwest, and much of the Plains; consider slight cuts where afternoon humidity increases and cloud cover temporarily trims evapotranspiration.
  • Soil Moisture Management: Expect highly variable gains from convective storms in the Corn Belt and Mid-South. Prioritize fields with tighter moisture margins for timely coverage.
  • Crop Protection: Afternoon convection and nighttime humidity can favor disease pressure in the Southeast/Delta; drier, cooler post-frontal air in the Northeast and Upper Midwest offers a short-term reprieve.
  • Livestock: Emphasize heat mitigation in the Southern Plains and Delta, and shelter options where storms carry lightning or brief high winds.

Regional Snapshot: At-a-Glance Planning

  • Corn Belt: Intermittent storms midweek; improving late-week windows. Temperatures near/slightly above normal.
  • Northern Plains: Generally favorable with light, fast-moving systems; breezy late-week.
  • Central/Southern Plains: Warm-to-hot; storm chances spotty. Irrigation and heat mitigation continue.
  • Delta/Southeast: Daily storm risk; muggy. Watch tropical trends for any change late week.
  • Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Front brings midweek rain; fair, cooler late week.
  • PNW: Mostly dry; watch wind and low humidity for fire weather.
  • California: Dry, warm to hot; excellent harvest weather.
  • Southwest/Rockies: Afternoon mountain storms; hot valleys; brief gusty outflows.

Notes

Forecast confidence is moderate for regional tendencies and lower for precise local timing of thunderstorms. Tropical developments can quickly alter precipitation prospects along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and inland corridors. For field-level decisions, consult your local National Weather Service office or trusted ag-weather provider for up-to-the-hour details and alerts.