Across U.S. farm country over the past 24 hours, a classic late-summer pattern dominated: hot, generally dry conditions in much of the West and parts of the Southern Plains; scattered, locally heavy thunderstorms dotting sections of the Plains and Midwest; humid, stormy intervals along the Gulf Coast and Southeast; and a continued monsoonal influence from the Four Corners into the Southern Rockies. While coverage and intensity varied from field to field, the net effect was a patchwork of quick downpours and brief wind gusts interrupting otherwise warm, moisture-demanding afternoons in many key production zones.

Looking ahead, the next seven days favor more of the same in broad strokes. Expect periodic storm clusters riding late-season fronts across the Northern Plains and Corn Belt, day-to-day sea-breeze and Gulf-induced storms in the Southeast, monsoon-driven pops in the Southwest, and predominantly dry windows in California’s Central Valley and the Pacific Northwest. Heat stress remains a recurring theme for livestock and irrigated crops in the West and parts of the Southern tier, with shorter, more comfortable stretches following frontal passages in the North-Central states.

Highlights at a glance

• Midwest/Corn Belt: Scattered thunderstorms disrupted some fields; quick-soaking totals were highly localized. A few breezy outflow gusts accompanied cells. Next 7 days bring multiple storm chances, especially north and east, with harvest and spraying windows between rounds.
• Northern Plains: Spotty storms and a modest late-summer cooldown behind frontal boundaries. Another front midperiod brings additional thunder chances and brief temperature dips.
• Central and Southern Plains: Heat lingered, with widely variable thunderstorm activity. A front may bring limited relief north; southern areas trend hotter and drier overall, with hit-or-miss evening storms.
• Delta/Mid-South: Humid, warm-to-hot with recurring afternoon storms; fieldwork windows favor mornings. Similar rhythm persists through the week with periodic downpours.
• Southeast: Routine sea-breeze and Gulf-fed thunderstorms, highest near the Gulf Coast and Florida. Daily variability continues; localized flooding possible where storms repeat.
• Southwest/Four Corners: Monsoonal storms flared over higher terrain with outflow boundaries pushing into valleys; localized heavy rain and lightning. Continued afternoon/evening storm risk most days.
• California Central Valley: Predominantly dry with hot afternoons and cooler nights; coastal marine intrusions mainly affect coastal strips, not interior valleys. Similar pattern holds, favoring continuous harvest/irrigation operations.
• Pacific Northwest/Intermountain West: Warm, dry, and periodically breezy, keeping fine fuels receptive. Light, localized mountain convection at times in the Northern Rockies; otherwise limited rainfall.

Regional detail and field impacts

Midwest/Corn Belt (IA, IL, IN, OH, MO, MN, WI, MI)

Last 24 hours: Scattered thunderstorms formed along weak boundaries, especially during late day and overnight. Coverage was uneven, with some corridors receiving quick downpours and others staying dry. Brief wind gusts and small hail were reported in spots, but most activity was short-lived. Humidity stayed elevated.

Next 7 days: Expect multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, most frequent across the Upper Midwest and eastern Corn Belt as late-season fronts sweep through. Breaks between systems provide fieldwork opportunities, but timing will be crucial. Storm clusters may produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds. Temperatures oscillate around seasonable to warm, trending cooler behind each front for a day or two. Implications:

• Narrow spraying and haying windows between storm rounds; watch for early-morning dew and post-storm leaf wetness prolonging disease pressure.
• Localized ponding possible in heavier cells; most areas see net beneficial moisture where rains occur.
• Livestock heat stress eases briefly after frontal passages, then rebuilds ahead of the next round.

Northern Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY)

Last 24 hours: A passing boundary supported scattered storms, primarily late day and evening. Cooler, drier air edged in behind the front, most noticeable at night and early morning.

Next 7 days: Another front midperiod renews thunderstorm chances, mainly along and ahead of the boundary. Otherwise, stretches of dry weather favor small-grain harvest and late-season haying. Temperatures fluctuate from seasonably warm ahead of fronts to comfortably mild behind them. Winds turn periodically breezy, especially with frontal passages. Fire weather concerns increase on the windiest, driest afternoons.

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

Last 24 hours: Heat maintained irrigation demand and livestock cooling needs. Thunderstorms were hit-or-miss, focusing near boundaries and outflows with brief heavy rain where they popped.

Next 7 days: Northern tier (NE/KS) sees periodic frontal influences and storm chances; southern tier (OK/North TX) trends hotter with spottier storms. Expect elevated evapotranspiration and soil moisture drawdown where rains miss. Watch for late-day gust fronts, blowing dust in the driest fields, and sporadic lightning fire starts on rangeland.

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

Last 24 hours: Warm, humid air supported afternoon and evening thunderstorms with localized heavy rain and lightning. Many fields saw brief interruptions rather than all-day washouts.

Next 7 days: A steady cadence of afternoon storms continues, most numerous on the hottest, most humid days and along any passing boundaries. Fieldwork windows skew toward mornings. Localized flooding possible under repeating cells, but many areas experience net beneficial moisture. Heat indices remain a consideration for outdoor labor and livestock.

Southeast (AL, GA, SC, NC, FL, southern VA)

Last 24 hours: Sea-breeze and Gulf moisture fueled daily storms, with the highest coverage near the Gulf Coast and Florida Peninsula. Storms were slow-moving at times, producing brief heavy downpours and frequent lightning.

Next 7 days: Expect daily storm chances to continue, peaking mid- to late afternoon with outflows driving new development inland. Localized flash flooding possible where storms repeat; otherwise, quick improvements follow due to high evapotranspiration. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, monitor for any tropical disturbances that could modulate rain coverage and surf—local forecasts will capture details.

Northeast and Appalachian Belt (PA, NY agricultural valleys, WV, western New England)

Last 24 hours: Scattered showers and storms were tied to a weak boundary and daytime heating. Coverage varied, with many farms seeing brief interruptions.

Next 7 days: Intermittent fronts deliver occasional showers and thunderstorms, with dry, pleasantly cool nights following each passage. Good haying windows emerge between rain chances. Disease pressure on produce crops decreases during cooler, drier spells but spikes after storms; adjust fungicide intervals accordingly.

Southwest and Four Corners (AZ, NM, UT, CO)

Last 24 hours: Monsoonal moisture supported afternoon storms over higher terrain, with outflows sending gusty winds and spotty showers into adjacent valleys. Lightning and quick downpours were the primary hazards.

Next 7 days: Continued daily storm potential, highest over mountains and foothills, with evening outflows. Localized flash flooding remains a concern in burn scars and slot canyons. Where storms miss, heat and very low humidity keep irrigation demand high and rangeland receptive to new fire starts.

California Central Valley and adjacent interior

Last 24 hours: Predominantly dry with hot afternoons and relatively cooler nights; marine influence stayed mainly along the immediate coast.

Next 7 days: Persistence is the theme—extended dry windows for harvest, orchard operations, and haying. Afternoon heat favors rapid drying; schedule worker safety breaks and manage canopy stress with timely irrigation. Smoke and haze may vary near ongoing wildfires, reducing visibility and affecting air quality on some days.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Last 24 hours: Warm, dry, and locally breezy, especially in the Columbia Basin and higher passes. Minimal precipitation outside of isolated mountain showers.

Next 7 days: Mostly dry with occasional onshore breezes west-side and afternoon winds east-side. Elevated fire weather where winds align with low humidity. Nights trend cooler in valleys, aiding fruit quality and sugar accumulation, while afternoons stay warm for ripening row crops.

Central and Northern Rockies/High Plains fringes (CO, WY, MT interior)

Last 24 hours: Mixed sun and clouds with isolated to scattered storms near terrain features; brief hail and gusts possible in stronger cells.

Next 7 days: Periodic storm chances continue, most frequent with shortwaves and along the continental divide. Otherwise, dry, breezy afternoons favor small-grain harvest but maintain fire-weather vigilance.

Seven-day national planner

• Days 1–2: Storm clusters ripple from the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest and parts of the eastern Corn Belt. Southeast sees daily storms with localized heavy rain. West stays broadly dry except monsoon terrain pops. Heat lingers South and interior West.
• Days 3–5: Another front crosses the northern tier, renewing storms and a short cool-down. Central Plains and Delta remain warm-to-hot with widely scattered storms. Central Valley and PNW retain mainly dry, harvest-friendly weather but watch afternoon winds.
• Days 6–7: Frontal boundary weakens but still sparks scattered storms Midwest to Northeast. Southeast keeps its daily thunder rhythm. Monsoon chances continue over the Four Corners. Western interior stays warm to hot with continued dryness in most valleys.

Field operations and risk management

• Harvest and haying windows: Best in the Central Valley, much of the PNW, and between storm rounds in the Northern Plains and Midwest. Use short, cool morning windows in the Southeast and Delta before storms redevelop.
• Irrigation scheduling: Elevated demand persists in the West and Southern Plains; consider night irrigation where feasible to reduce evapotranspiration losses.
• Livestock heat stress: Peak stress during late afternoons in the Southern Plains, Delta, and interior West; provide shade, ventilation, and ample water. Brief relief follows northern-tier frontal passages.
• Crop disease and pest pressure: Post-storm humidity favors foliar diseases in the Midwest, Mid-South, and Southeast. Time protective applications between rain events and monitor for vector activity after wet periods.
• Flooding and runoff: Localized flash flooding possible beneath slow-moving storms, especially in the Southeast, Delta, and monsoon-prone canyons and burn scars of the Southwest.
• Wind and hail: Stronger storm outflows can produce brief damaging gusts and small hail; secure equipment and protect sensitive crops when storms approach.
• Fire weather: Watch for dry, breezy afternoons in the PNW, Great Basin, and interior California; lightning from high-based storms may ignite new starts in the Southwest and Rockies.

What to monitor locally

• Timing of frontal passages in the Northern Plains and Midwest, which create narrow but valuable fieldwork windows.
• Daily thunderstorm coverage in the Southeast and Delta, especially where repeated outflows can focus heavy rain.
• Monsoonal storm trends in the Four Corners, including flash flood guidance near recent burn scars.
• Heat advisories and air quality statements in the West and Southern Plains, and smoke impacts near active wildfires.

Local conditions vary significantly over short distances during late summer. For precise, hour-by-hour details at your farm, consult your nearest National Weather Service office or trusted local forecast provider.