Past 24 Hours: National Agricultural Weather Overview

Late-summer weather continued to deliver a patchwork of conditions across U.S. production regions. Scattered thunderstorms in parts of the central U.S. and along the Gulf and Atlantic coastal zones produced localized downpours and gusty winds, while many other areas remained dry with seasonable temperatures. High terrain of the Southwest saw isolated, brief monsoon-type showers, and the Pacific Northwest experienced periods of marine clouds and spotty light precipitation near the coast and Cascades. Heat and humidity lingered over portions of the southern tier, supporting elevated evapotranspiration where rainfall was limited.

Field impacts were highly localized: where storms formed, quick-soaking rains slowed fieldwork and briefly boosted topsoil moisture; elsewhere, warm, breezy afternoons promoted drying and allowed harvest and late-season haying to proceed.

Seven-Day Outlook for Key U.S. Agricultural Regions (Sep 10–17)

Upper Midwest and Northern Plains (Dakotas, Minnesota, northern Iowa, northern Nebraska, Montana)

• Temperatures: A pair of early-autumn fronts bring a step-down to cooler-than-recent conditions. Highs trend from late-summer warmth to seasonably cool, with the coolest stretch late in the period. Chilly mornings possible by day 5–7.
• Rain/Storms: One or two frontal passages support bands of showers and thunderstorms; the most widespread activity with the first front. General totals 0.5–1.5 inches, locally higher in slow-moving storms; lighter totals under 0.25 inch where cells miss.
• Ag impacts: Intermittent harvest delays during and shortly after rain bands; good drying windows behind fronts. Watch for patchy, localized early-morning frost in colder high valleys late in the period if skies clear and winds ease.

Corn Belt (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, southern Minnesota/Wisconsin, Missouri)

• Temperatures: Near-normal early, trending cooler-than-normal mid-to-late period following a frontal passage.
• Rain/Storms: A midperiod frontal corridor favors scattered to numerous thunderstorms. Totals 0.5–1.5 inches along and just ahead of the boundary; pockets of 2+ inches possible under repeating cells; lighter 0.1–0.5 inches in southern/western fringes.
• Ag impacts: Harvest progress will pause at times where heavier storms occur; improved combine footing and grain drying return late period. Elevated foliar disease pressure in fields that receive multiple wetting events.

Central and Southern Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle and north Texas)

• Temperatures: Warm to locally hot to start, easing to near-normal as fronts sag southward.
• Rain/Storms: Scattered storms develop along boundaries, greatest coverage in Kansas and northern Oklahoma. Totals highly variable: trace to 0.25 inch for many, 0.5–1 inch where storms cluster; locally higher under slow movers.
• Ag impacts: Mostly favorable fieldwork windows outside storm days. Brief severe weather risk in northern sections near frontal lift. Late-season heat stress eases mid-to-late period; irrigation demand remains moderate where rains miss.

Mississippi Delta (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, western Tennessee)

• Temperatures: Seasonably warm and humid; slight cooling late where clouds and showers persist.
• Rain/Storms: Daily isolated to scattered convection, 20–40% coverage. Weekly totals commonly 0.25–1 inch; corridors of 1–2 inches possible if a Gulf moisture plume briefly enhances activity.
• Ag impacts: On-and-off brief delays for rice, cotton, and soybean fieldwork; intermittent improvements in topsoil moisture. Heat index management still important for outdoor crews in early period.

Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Carolinas)

• Temperatures: Seasonably warm; sea-breeze moderation along coasts. Slight late-period cooling under increased cloud cover in spots.
• Rain/Storms: Typical afternoon/evening storms along sea-breeze and piedmont boundaries. Totals 0.5–1.5 inches coast-to-inland gradient; locally 2+ inches under persistent cells. Monitor for any tropical moisture influx that could briefly boost rainfall near the coast.
• Ag impacts: Short, intense downpours may trigger brief, localized flooding in low-lying fields; otherwise, frequent drying intervals aid harvest logistics. Disease pressure remains elevated in humid zones.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (Virginia to New England)

• Temperatures: Seasonably warm early, trending cooler and drier behind a passing front midperiod; comfortable late-period afternoons with crisp mornings inland.
• Rain/Storms: One frontal band of showers and a few thunderstorms, then mainly dry. Week totals 0.25–0.75 inch for many; locally 1+ inch under heavier cells.
• Ag impacts: Brief harvest interruptions around frontal passage; generally favorable late-period windows for hay and specialty crop harvest. Morning valley fog may slow early starts on clear, cool nights.

Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho)

• Temperatures: Near- to slightly-below-normal along the coast and Cascades; interior valleys near-normal, with a subtle cool-down late.
• Rain/Storms: Light Pacific impulses bring coastal/Cascades drizzle or light rain at times; inland largely dry. Weekly totals generally 0–0.25 inch inland, up to 0.5 inch windward slopes.
• Ag impacts: Mostly favorable small-grain and seed harvest windows inland; light, coast-focused precipitation aids rangeland moisture but has limited soil recharge.

California (Central Valley, coastal ranges, southern deserts)

• Temperatures: Warm to locally hot in the Central Valley early, easing late as onshore flow strengthens; coastal zones mild.
• Rain/Storms: Predominantly dry statewide; patchy coastal low clouds/drizzle at times in the far north coast.
• Ag impacts: Steady ripening for grapes, nuts, and late stone fruit; afternoon Delta breeze improves air quality and field comfort late. Continue dust management and irrigation scheduling where heat persists.

Southwest and Four Corners (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado)

• Temperatures: Seasonably warm; gradual easing of heat in lower deserts late period.
• Rain/Storms: Waning monsoon pattern. Isolated, terrain-driven afternoon storms mainly over higher elevations; dry in most valleys and deserts. Totals 0–0.25 inch lowlands, 0.25–0.75 inch mountains where storms develop.
• Ag impacts: Localized downpours can cause brief runoff on burn scars; otherwise, continued irrigation demand and elevated fire weather with gusty, dry afternoons in the Great Basin fringes.

Intermountain West and Great Basin (Nevada, western Utah, southern Idaho, western Wyoming)

• Temperatures: Near- to slightly-above-normal early, trending cooler late with increased breezes.
• Rain/Storms: Mostly dry; isolated high-based storms possible near mountains with very light rainfall.
• Ag impacts: Elevated fire-weather concerns during breezy, low-humidity afternoons; rangeland and dryland fields continue to dry, supporting harvest but increasing dust and static risk.

South Texas and Rio Grande Valley

• Temperatures: Hot and humid much of the week; slight moderation late if coastal cloud cover increases.
• Rain/Storms: Isolated coastal showers most days; potential for higher coastal coverage late-period if a Gulf moisture feed improves. Totals 0–0.5 inch inland, locally 1+ inch near the coast.
• Ag impacts: High evapotranspiration maintains irrigation demand; brief coastal downpours offer spotty top-up but limited interior relief.

Cross-Region Agricultural Impacts and Planning Notes

• Fieldwork windows: Best, sustained windows late in the week across the Northeast, interior Northwest, California, and behind fronts in the Northern Plains/Corn Belt. Expect intermittent delays midweek along the main central U.S. frontal zone.
• Moisture management: Where storms cluster (central/northern Plains into Upper Midwest and Corn Belt), anticipate short-term topsoil recharge and possible rutting in low spots. Elsewhere, continued gradual drying favors harvest but may stress late-season crops without irrigation.
• Disease and pest pressure: Leaf wetness periods around frontal rain in the central U.S. can spike foliar disease risk in corn/soybeans and cotton; scout and time fungicide/insecticide applications around dry windows. Humid Southeast conditions support boll rot and peanut disease risks where rains repeat.
• Heat, humidity, and labor: Southern tier heat index remains a management factor during early-week afternoons; schedule strenuous work for mornings and late afternoons when feasible.
• Wind and fire weather: Breezy post-frontal conditions in the Northern Plains and dry, gusty afternoons in the Great Basin/Intermountain West raise fire-weather concerns. Avoid harvest operations that can spark during peak winds and low humidity.
• Frost watch: Low-end risk late in the period in colder northern high valleys if skies clear; protect sensitive specialty crops accordingly. Widespread frost/freezes are not expected.

Precipitation and Temperature Ranges at a Glance (Week Totals/Anomalies)

• Heaviest rain potential: 0.5–1.5 inches common with locally 2+ inches along the central U.S. frontal corridor (Northern Plains to Upper Midwest/Corn Belt) and in slow-moving Southeast coastal storms.
• Lighter rain zones: 0–0.25 inch for interior West, much of California, and portions of the Southern Plains/Interior Southeast where storms are isolated.
• Temperatures: Near-normal to slightly below in the northern tier after fronts; near-normal to slightly above in the South and West early, easing late with onshore flow or increased cloud cover.

Operational Checklist for the Week

• Central U.S.: Stage equipment for quick harvest pushes between storms; prioritize fields with lodging or disease risk ahead of the frontal wet window.
• South/Southeast: Manage heat stress for crews; plan around brief, intense coastal downpours and daily sea-breeze storms.
• West: Maintain irrigation schedules; monitor local fire-weather updates and avoid spark-prone operations during peak afternoon winds.
• Northern tier: Prepare for cooler mornings late-period; monitor for isolated valley frost potential on clear, calm nights.

Localization

Conditions will vary considerably across short distances, especially near frontal boundaries and sea-breeze zones. For field-specific timing, consult your local National Weather Service office or state extension weather network for hourly forecasts, radar, and advisories.