Note to readers: This report provides a region-by-region agricultural weather brief tailored to late-August conditions across U.S. production zones and a scenario-based outlook for the coming week. It does not include site-specific observations or a deterministic forecast based on live meteorological feeds. For precise local conditions and warnings, consult your local National Weather Service office and state mesonet.

Key takeaways for U.S. producers

  • Heat and humidity remain the primary stressors for livestock and late-season row crops across the southern tier; plan shade, water, and adjusted work schedules.
  • Scattered, fast-moving thunderstorms are the most likely precipitation mechanism in many central and eastern farm belts this week; expect uneven rainfall distribution and brief fieldwork delays where storms occur.
  • Peak tropical season increases risk of Gulf and Atlantic moisture surges for the Southeast and Delta; monitor daily updates for any organized systems.
  • Western monsoon showers remain possible in parts of the Southwest; dry lightning and localized flash flooding can coincide where soils are dry and terrain is steep.
  • Smoke and haze episodes are possible where wildfires are active in the West and northern tier; air quality and solar radiation may fluctuate.

What to verify from the last 24 hours in your operation

Because field conditions vary sharply at this time of year, confirm these parameters from your on-farm gauges or state mesonet stations before scheduling harvest, haying, or spraying:

  • 24-hour rainfall total and rain-rate peaks (affects saturation, ruts, nutrient loss, and fungicide wash-off)
  • Maximum/minimum temperatures and heat index (livestock stress, irrigation demand)
  • Wind gusts during storms (lodging and green snap risk assessment)
  • Dew point and overnight humidity (canopy drying time, disease pressure)
  • Top 10 cm soil moisture and soil temperature (trafficability, emergence for late plantings)

Seven-day outlook: scenario-based guidance by region

The following outlook reflects typical late-August patterns and the range of plausible conditions you should plan for. Confidence descriptors indicate how consistently these patterns occur in late August and how sensitive they are to frontal timing or tropical influences.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (IA, IL, IN, OH, MO, eastern NE, southern MN, southern WI, MI)

  • Temperature: Near to slightly above seasonal norms. Warm afternoons; occasional cooler, less humid air following any frontal passage. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Scattered afternoon/evening thunderstorms possible along and ahead of passing fronts. Expect uneven rainfall with locally heavy downpours; many fields stay workable between events. Confidence: medium.
  • Field impacts: Short, flexible fieldwork windows likely most days outside of storm hours. Watch for leaf wetness periods that favor foliar diseases; spraying windows best late mornings when wind allows and canopy dries.

Central and Northern Plains (KS, NE, SD, ND, eastern CO, WY plains)

  • Temperature: Warm to occasionally hot south; closer to seasonal north. Overnight cooling helps stress recovery. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms, especially near frontal boundaries and lee troughs. Localized heavy rain and gusty outflows possible. Confidence: low to medium (timing sensitive).
  • Field impacts: Largely favorable harvest/haying windows with brief storm delays. Wind shifts after storms can complicate spraying; monitor gust forecasts day-of.

Southern Plains and Texas (OK, TX)

  • Temperature: Above normal heat risk persists, especially central and western TX; humidity higher near Gulf. Confidence: medium to high.
  • Rain and storms: Widely scattered PM storms possible; higher chances near sea-breeze and any outflow boundaries. Confidence: low to medium.
  • Field impacts: Irrigation demand remains elevated; manage heat stress for livestock. Short-notice storm cells may cause localized downpours and lightning delays.

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

  • Temperature: Warm to hot with high humidity. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Daily chances for scattered thunderstorms; any tropical moisture intrusions would boost coverage. Confidence: medium on diurnal storms, low on tropical influence.
  • Field impacts: Expect variable field access; plan around late-day storm risk. Monitor grain dry-down and aflatoxin risk in heat.

Southeast and Coastal Plain (AL, GA, FL, the Carolinas, VA coastal plain)

  • Temperature: Seasonably hot and humid. Confidence: high.
  • Rain and storms: Daily sea-breeze driven thunderstorms likely; enhanced rainfall possible if a tropical wave or disturbance approaches. Confidence: medium on diurnal storms, low on any organized system.
  • Field impacts: Short work windows mid-morning to early afternoon before storm development; plan fungicide and insecticide applications accordingly. Keep grain bins ventilated; watch for mycotoxin risk.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (PA, NY, NJ, New England)

  • Temperature: Near seasonal; occasional warm, humid spells between fronts. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Showers and storms with frontal passages; localized heavy rain possible under slow movers. Confidence: medium.
  • Field impacts: Harvest and haying windows open up quickly behind fronts; check leaf wetness duration for disease management in specialty crops.

California Central Valley

  • Temperature: Seasonably hot afternoons; cooler nights, especially north/Delta. Confidence: high.
  • Rain and storms: Minimal. Confidence: high.
  • Field impacts: Excellent harvest windows; manage worker heat stress and irrigation turnouts. Watch for smoke/haze episodes that can affect solar load.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

  • Temperature: Near to slightly above normal inland; milder near coast. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Generally dry to very light, except isolated mountain convection. Confidence: medium to high.
  • Field impacts: Favorable small grain and seed harvest progress; monitor fire weather and wind where fuels are dry.

Intermountain West and Southwest (AZ, NM, UT, NV, western CO)

  • Temperature: Hot at lower elevations; warm days, cool nights at altitude. Confidence: high.
  • Rain and storms: Monsoon-driven PM storms remain possible, especially AZ/NM mountains and adjacent valleys. Local flash flooding in slot canyons and burn scars. Confidence: medium.
  • Field impacts: Short, intense downpours can cause brief flooding and hail; schedule irrigation and cutting around storm timing where possible.

Rockies and High Plains (MT, WY, CO high plains)

  • Temperature: Near seasonal; warm afternoons and cool nights. Confidence: medium.
  • Rain and storms: Isolated to scattered storms, mainly terrain-driven or with weak fronts. Confidence: medium.
  • Field impacts: Mostly favorable fieldwork windows with localized wind and lightning delays during storm hours.

Hazards and opportunities

  • Heat stress: Highest risk Southern Plains, Texas, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Florida. Implement cooling strategies for livestock and track heat index for outdoor labor.
  • Localized flooding: Any slow-moving thunderstorm can produce quick 1–2 inch downpours; avoid low-lying field access roads during storm windows.
  • Severe weather: A few storms may produce damaging wind gusts and hail in the Plains/Midwest under frontal setups; check day-of convective outlooks.
  • Tropical influences: Peak Atlantic season warrants daily checks of National Hurricane Center updates if you farm along the Gulf Coast, Florida, or Southeast coast. Moisture from distant systems can expand rain coverage inland.
  • Fire weather and smoke: Breezy, dry afternoons in parts of the West and northern tier can elevate fire danger; smoke may reduce visibility and solar radiation for photosynthesis short-term.
  • Disease pressure: High nighttime humidity and repeated leaf wetness in the Midwest, Delta, and Southeast favor foliar diseases; align fungicide timings with dry, low-wind application windows.

Operational planning checklist for the next 7 days

  • Stagger harvest and hay cutting to target 36–48 hour dry windows; keep tarps handy for scattered storm risk.
  • Time herbicide and fungicide spraying late morning to midday when winds are light and canopies are drying; avoid inversion conditions.
  • Stage irrigation for peak evapotranspiration hours in the Southern Plains, Texas, and California; reconsider sets following any significant rainfall.
  • Prepare livestock heat mitigation: water supply checks, shade structures, and adjusted handling times to cooler periods.
  • Inspect bins and aeration ahead of humid stretches; monitor grain temperature and moisture to prevent spoilage.
  • Review tropical contingency plans along the Gulf and Southeast: fuel, drainage, and equipment relocation if guidance trends toward a regional impact.

When to seek more detailed guidance

Because late-summer weather varies block by block, always cross-check:

  • Your state mesonet or nearest ag weather station for 5-minute wind, humidity, and leaf wetness data.
  • National Weather Service point-and-click forecasts and hazardous weather outlooks for your fields.
  • National Hurricane Center advisories if you operate in the Gulf, Florida, or Atlantic coastal plain.