National Highlights at a Glance

• Heat and humidity: Elevated heat indices across the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and parts of the Southeast; warm to hot afternoons in California’s Central Valley and interior Northwest.
• Storm chances: Scattered to numerous thunderstorms remain possible on/near frontal zones across the central and eastern U.S., with localized heavy downpours, gusty winds, and brief fieldwork delays.
• Western dryness: Predominantly dry along the West Coast and much of the interior Northwest; monsoon‑style convection continues in parts of the Four Corners and central/southern Rockies.
• Tropics watch: Late August is peak Atlantic season. Any Gulf/Atlantic development could alter rainfall and wind risks for the Southeast and Delta. Monitor official advisories from the National Hurricane Center.

Pacific Northwest

Last 24 hours

Seasonally dry in many valleys and basins, with warm afternoons and cool overnight lows aiding diurnal temperature swings. Irrigated orchards and late wheat harvest typically benefit from low rain disruption but face ongoing irrigation demand.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Low chances in western valleys; isolated mountain showers possible late week.
• Temperatures: Near to slightly above average inland; marine influence keeps coastal zones milder.
• Agronomic impacts: Continued high evapotranspiration (ET) rates; monitor wildfire smoke intrusions for worker safety and sunburn/quality risk in fruit.
• Confidence: Medium‑high.

California Central Valley

Last 24 hours

Dry, hot afternoons dominate with good harvest windows but elevated heat stress for field labor and livestock. Nighttime cooling offers limited relief.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Very low probabilities valley‑wide.
• Temperatures: Persistently hot afternoons; localized spikes possible midweek.
• Agronomic impacts: Maintain irrigation cadence; heat can hasten maturity in grapes and nuts, increasing split/dehiscence—plan shake/harvest timing accordingly.
• Confidence: High.

Southwest & Four Corners

Last 24 hours

Typical monsoon window with scattered afternoon/evening storms over higher terrain and nearby valleys. Localized heavy downpours and outflow winds where storms formed.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Daily isolated to scattered thunderstorm chances, greatest over mountains; coverage fluctuates with shortwave timing.
• Temperatures: Near to above average in deserts; somewhat moderated where storm clouds persist.
• Agronomic impacts: Short‑fuse flooding in low‑lying fields; wind‑driven sandblasting risk on tender cotton; variable ET complicates irrigation scheduling.
• Confidence: Medium.

Northern Plains & Northern Rockies

Last 24 hours

Changeable pattern with a recent frontal push bringing pockets of showers/storms in spots; many areas experienced breezy conditions and drier air behind fronts.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: One to two frontal passages likely; scattered storms early to midweek, another round possible late week.
• Temperatures: Swings from warm ahead of fronts to cooler, less humid air behind.
• Agronomic impacts: Good small‑grain dry‑down between rain episodes; watch for lodging in any fields hit by stronger gusts; pasture conditions benefit where rainfall occurs.
• Confidence: Medium.

Corn Belt & Upper Midwest

Last 24 hours

Widely variable: many locales saw scattered thunderstorms on/near boundaries with localized heavy rain; others stayed dry and hot. Fieldwork windows varied accordingly.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Periodic clusters of storms, particularly along frontal zones early to midweek; drier intervals behind.
• Temperatures: Warm to hot ahead of fronts; a cooler, less humid break likely after frontal passage(s).
• Agronomic impacts: Corn/soy in grain fill benefit from moderate temps post‑front; excessive downpours may elevate disease pressure (tar spot/foliar diseases)—scout promptly after rains.
• Confidence: Medium.

Southern Plains

Last 24 hours

Hot and humid across much of the region with isolated to scattered storms near boundaries. Heat stress for livestock and late‑season row crops remained a concern where rainfall was limited.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Spotty thunderstorm chances most days, better near fronts/outflows; many hours remain dry.
• Temperatures: Above average; heat indices periodically extreme, especially where winds slacken.
• Agronomic impacts: Maintain water for cotton and sorghum; watch boll set under heat; schedule field operations early/late day for labor safety.
• Confidence: Medium.

Delta & Mid‑South

Last 24 hours

Very warm, humid conditions with scattered storms in some corridors; rice and soybean fields faced high disease pressure where rains occurred.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Daily storm chances, enhanced along sea‑breeze/outflow boundaries; tropical moisture influence is a wild card—monitor NHC.
• Temperatures: Persistently warm to hot with steamy overnights.
• Agronomic impacts: Tight harvest windows for early rice; plan fungicide decisions around 24–48 hour dry spells when possible.
• Confidence: Medium (lower if tropical activity increases).

Southeast

Last 24 hours

Typical late‑summer pattern with scattered afternoon storms, localized heavy rain, and uneven accumulations. Coastal corridors saw sea‑breeze‑driven convection.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Daily thunderstorm chances; locally heavy in slow‑moving cells. Watch for tropical disturbances that could rapidly increase rain/wind risk.
• Temperatures: Warm to hot; humidity remains high, with sultry nights.
• Agronomic impacts: Peanuts/cotton susceptible to boll rot and foliar disease post‑rain; plan defoliation/harvest around drier stretches.
• Confidence: Medium (tropical uncertainties).

Northeast

Last 24 hours

Variable showers and storms in places with comfortable breaks where drier air filtered in. Haying windows improved where fronts cleared early.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: One or two frontal passages bringing showers/storms; fair stretches between systems.
• Temperatures: Near seasonal; warm spells ahead of fronts, cooler behind.
• Agronomic impacts: Plan hay cutting for 48–72 hour dry windows; excessive downpours may reduce produce quality—harvest promptly post‑rain.
• Confidence: Medium‑high.

Intermountain West

Last 24 hours

Mostly dry in basins with isolated mountain storms. Hot afternoons maintained strong ET rates.

7‑day outlook

• Precipitation: Limited in valleys; diurnal mountain storms possible, especially central and southern ranges.
• Temperatures: Near to above average, cooler at elevation.
• Agronomic impacts: Continue irrigation for potatoes/sugar beets/alfalfa; watch for wind‑driven lodging where storms occur.
• Confidence: Medium‑high.

Weekly Risk Dashboard

• Heat stress: Elevated risk Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, parts of the Southeast, California Central Valley, and Southwest deserts.
• Excess soil moisture/fieldwork delays: Scattered risk Midwest, Delta, Southeast—highest where storm clusters repeat or if a tropical system influences the Gulf/Atlantic states.
• Wind/hail damage: Localized with stronger storms along frontal zones in the Plains/Midwest and with monsoon outflows in the Southwest.
• Wildfire smoke/air quality: Intermittent risk interior West and downwind corridors; monitor local AQI for worker safety.

Actionable Planning Tips

• Fieldwork: Target post‑frontal 24–48 hour windows in the Midwest/Northeast; keep flexible schedules in the Southeast/Delta due to daily convection.
• Irrigation: Expect high ET in the West, Southwest deserts, and Central Valley; adjust for storm‑cooled days in monsoon‑influenced areas.
• Disease management: Scout corn/soy after heavy dew/rain in the Corn Belt; monitor boll/leaf diseases in the Southeast and Delta following downpours.
• Livestock: Provide shade and water during afternoon heat in the Southern Plains/Southeast; consider earlier grazing to avoid peak heat.
• Tropics: Establish contingency harvest/fieldwork plans for potential Gulf/Atlantic disturbances; verify daily with NHC/NWS.