Key takeaways for U.S. farm country

• Harvest windows have opened in many central and eastern growing areas, but scattered showers and pockets of high humidity have created slick fields and elevated crop disease pressure in spots.
• Heat lingers across portions of the Southern Plains, Delta, and parts of the Southeast, sustaining irrigation demand and stressing late-season row crops and livestock during warmer afternoons.
• Northern tier areas are trending cooler at times, with occasional crisp mornings; isolated light frost risk exists at higher elevations and far northern locales late in the period.
• Western production zones remain largely dry, maintaining good field access but keeping wildfire and air-quality concerns in play downwind of any active fires.
• Next 7 days: a typical late-summer-to-early-fall pattern favors periodic fronts sweeping the North and Midwest, scattered thunderstorms in the Plains to Midwest at times, and moisture surges possible across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, especially if tropical moisture interacts with stalled boundaries.

National overview: Past 24 hours

Across U.S. agriculture regions, the last 24 hours featured seasonally typical variability. Many central and eastern fields saw a mix of dry harvest windows punctuated by localized, fast-moving showers and thunderstorms along weak frontal boundaries. Humidity remained elevated in parts of the Corn Belt and Mid-South, keeping morning dew points high and slowing dry-down at times. The Southern Plains and portions of the Southeast experienced warm to hot afternoons, while the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest trended milder to cool with a fresh breeze behind passing disturbances. The West stayed largely dry, with coastal and valley morning clouds in a few areas and clear, warm afternoons inland. Mountain and interior Southwest locales observed isolated, terrain-driven storms.

Operational impacts included intermittent field delays where showers passed, modest wind aiding crop dry-down in the northern tier, and ongoing irrigation needs in warmer, drier belts. Livestock heat stress was generally moderate in the South during peak afternoon hours, easing overnight.

7-day outlook: What producers should plan for

Expect a transition pattern typical of mid-September: progressive fronts crossing the northern tier and Midwest every few days, with scattered storm chances along their paths; warmth persisting in the Southern Plains into parts of the Delta and Southeast; and continued dryness in many western valleys. Confidence is moderate overall, with localized rainfall coverage and tropical influences contributing the greatest uncertainty in the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

Midwest (Corn Belt and Great Lakes)

Past 24 hours

Mixed conditions: pockets of light showers or storms along a sagging boundary, humid mornings with slow dry-down in some areas, and otherwise favorable harvest windows where rain missed. Breezy periods in the north aided drying.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Passing fronts bring scattered showers and isolated storms, especially in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Temperatures near to slightly below normal north, near normal central/south. Expect alternating windows of good fieldwork and brief interruptions.
• Days 4–5: Another weak wave may trigger additional light to moderate showers from the Plains into the central/eastern Corn Belt. Disease pressure remains elevated where dew points are high and rain is recurrent.
• Days 6–7: Drier, cooler push possible in the northwest Corn Belt, with pleasant harvest weather; lingering shower chances may persist farther southeast. Overall, a net-positive stretch for harvest progress with localized delays.

Agronomic notes: Watch for foliar disease pressure in soybeans and late corn where humidity persists. Stagger harvest to chase the driest fields between fronts. Windy intervals could increase stalk lodging risk in vulnerable stands.

Northern Plains (Dakotas, Montana, northern Nebraska)

Past 24 hours

Generally cooler, breezy to gusty behind a passing disturbance, with spotty light showers in places and otherwise dry air aiding crop dry-down.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Mostly dry to occasionally showery with a quick-moving front. Temperatures near to below normal at times, with crisp mornings in rural low spots.
• Days 4–5: Brief warm-up ahead of the next front; isolated to scattered showers possible with its passage. Winds may increase with frontal timing.
• Days 6–7: Cooler, drier air returns. Patchy light frost risk limited to the coldest high-elevation or far-northern hollows on the coolest morning; most cropland stays above critical thresholds.

Agronomic notes: Favorable harvest windows dominate. Secure lightweight materials ahead of breezy frontal passages. Prepare for colder morning starts for livestock care late in the period.

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

Past 24 hours

Warm to hot afternoons with isolated thunderstorms in spots; many areas remained dry with ongoing irrigation demand. Breezes light to moderate.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Seasonably warm to hot. Isolated to scattered late-day storms possible, most numerous near frontal boundaries or outflow interactions; coverage uneven.
• Days 4–5: A front edges in from the north, bringing a better chance for widely scattered storms and a modest cool-down north to south.
• Days 6–7: Temperatures trend closer to normal. Spotty showers linger, but many hours of dry time favor fieldwork. Heat stress eases slightly.

Agronomic notes: Maintain irrigation scheduling where rainfall misses. Monitor heat load on livestock during peak afternoons early in the period. Storms may be locally gusty with brief heavy downpours.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

Past 24 hours

Humid and warm with scattered showers or storms in some locales; many others remained dry. Field access variable depending on recent rainfall history.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Daily chances for scattered, mostly afternoon storms, especially where sea-breeze or boundary interactions occur. Warm to hot.
• Days 4–5: A weak front approaching from the northwest could focus additional clusters of storms, with localized heavy downpours.
• Days 6–7: Storm chances modulate with any lingering boundary; temperatures nudge down slightly if clouds and showers persist.

Agronomic notes: Harvest timing will hinge on dodging pop-up storms. Consider grain drying capacity where humidity remains stubborn. Keep an eye on tropical moisture influences that could enhance rainfall rates.

Southeast (Gulf Coast to Carolinas)

Past 24 hours

Typical late-season pattern: warm, humid, with scattered afternoon storms near the Gulf and Atlantic sea-breeze zones; widespread dry hours between storms.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Daily scattered storms, most frequent near coasts and inland along boundaries. Hot afternoons; heat index elevated.
• Days 4–5: Potential for a moisture surge if a weak tropical disturbance or deeper Gulf/Atlantic moisture interacts with a stalled boundary, raising rainfall coverage locally.
• Days 6–7: Gradual return to typical scattered convection pattern. Temperatures near to slightly above normal where sun prevails.

Agronomic notes: Plan fieldwork around afternoon storm climatology. Watch for localized flash flooding in poor-drainage fields if slow-moving cells develop. Maintain livestock heat mitigation protocols.

Eastern states and Northeast specialty crops

Past 24 hours

Mixed sun and clouds with isolated showers or a fast-moving band in some areas; otherwise seasonable and comfortable for harvest activities.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: A passing front brings scattered light to moderate showers, mainly in the interior; coast sees variable clouds with a few showers.
• Days 4–5: Drier, pleasantly cool air settles in; good harvest and orchard picking weather with lower humidity.
• Days 6–7: Another weak disturbance may bring light showers to some locales; many areas stay dry with cool nights.

Agronomic notes: Excellent cider apple and grape harvest windows during the drier, cooler stretch. Watch for dew-related disease pressure early mornings in vineyards and orchards.

California Central Valley and coastal growing regions

Past 24 hours

Predominantly dry. Morning marine layer pockets near the coast with sunny, warm afternoons inland; excellent field access.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Continued dry and stable. Seasonal to warm afternoons inland; nights cool to mild.
• Days 4–5: Little change. Light, locally breezy afternoons through gaps and passes.
• Days 6–7: Dry pattern persists. Any temperature changes are modest and localized.

Agronomic notes: Ideal conditions for harvest and post-harvest operations. Maintain dust control and fire-safety practices; monitor air quality if smoke intrusions occur downwind of regional fires.

Pacific Northwest (valleys and irrigated plateaus)

Past 24 hours

Mainly dry with seasonable temperatures; breezy in passes. Good fieldwork progress continues.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Generally dry. Slightly cooler near the coast and higher terrain; mild to warm inland.
• Days 4–5: A weak system glances the region with increased clouds and a small chance of light showers mainly in the mountains; most valleys stay dry.
• Days 6–7: Dry and seasonable returns. Nighttime temperatures trend cool in clear, calm areas.

Agronomic notes: Excellent harvest weather overall. Be mindful of fire weather if afternoon winds pick up and humidity dips.

Southwest and Desert West (AZ, NM, far SoCal irrigated zones)

Past 24 hours

Mostly dry with isolated, terrain-driven thunderstorms over higher terrain; hot afternoons in lower deserts.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Spotty mountain storms possible; lower deserts largely dry and hot.
• Days 4–5: A modest uptick in storm chances over high terrain if moisture pools; localized gusty outflows may reach valleys.
• Days 6–7: Gradual decrease in storms; heat moderates slightly but remains a factor in low elevations.

Agronomic notes: Maintain irrigation cadence and heat mitigation for workers and livestock. Outflow winds can cause localized blowing dust.

Rockies and Intermountain West

Past 24 hours

Seasonable to cool with isolated showers and storms over the mountains; valleys mostly dry with large day–night temperature swings.

Next 7 days

• Days 1–3: Daily isolated storms over higher terrain during afternoons; cooler nights in basins and high valleys.
• Days 4–5: A passing disturbance may expand shower coverage in the northern Rockies; snow remains confined to the highest peaks if at all.
• Days 6–7: Drier trend with cool mornings. Patchy frost possible in the coldest high valleys on the coolest morning.

Agronomic notes: Plan harvest for late mornings to afternoons after dew lift. Protect sensitive specialty crops in known frost-prone pockets late in the period.

Risk watch: Potential weather hazards

• Severe thunderstorms: Isolated risk along stronger fronts in the Plains to Midwest; brief gusty winds and small hail possible.
• Heavy downpours: Localized flash flooding where slow-moving storms occur in the Delta, Southeast, and along frontal zones in the Midwest.
• Heat stress: Early-period afternoons in the Southern Plains, Delta, and parts of the Southeast.
• Fire weather and smoke: Intermittent concerns in the West with dry, breezy periods and ongoing regional fire activity.
• Chill/frost: Low-end, late-period risk limited to the coldest northern high valleys and high plains hollows.
• Tropical influences: Any Gulf or Atlantic disturbance could enhance rainfall along parts of the Gulf Coast and Southeast if moisture interacts with a stalled boundary; monitor local updates.

Operational guidance for producers

• Harvest management: Target the drier intervals between frontal passages in the Midwest and Northern Plains; prioritize fields with higher disease or lodging risk.
• Grain quality: Anticipate higher moisture and slower dry-down following humid nights and showers; ensure aeration and drying capacity.
• Irrigation and heat: Maintain schedules in the Southern Plains and low deserts; adjust for slightly cooler late-period trends where applicable.
• Livestock: Provide shade, water, and ventilation during the warmest hours in southern regions; prepare windbreaks and bedding for cooler northern mornings late in the outlook.
• Frost-sensitive crops: Have row covers or protection ready in known cold pockets of the Northern Rockies/High Plains if late-period chills materialize.

For localized timing, rainfall totals, and any watches or warnings, rely on your nearest National Weather Service office or agricultural weather provider.