Editor’s note: This national agriculture weather briefing provides a generalized overview for major U.S. farming regions. Local conditions vary widely—always consult National Weather Service and state extension forecasts for field-level decisions.

National Overview

Late-summer patterns continue to drive a patchwork of heat, humidity, and hit-or-miss thunderstorms across the country. A wavering frontal zone from the Plains toward the Midwest has supported scattered convection, while sea-breeze storms and Gulf moisture have fueled daily downpours in parts of the Southeast and Delta. The Southwest remains seasonally dry to intermittently stormy where monsoonal moisture lingers, and the Pacific Northwest and California valleys are largely dry with warm afternoons. Peak Atlantic hurricane season adds an element of uncertainty for the Gulf and East coasts later in the 7-day period.

Last 24 Hours: What Growers Likely Encountered

Conditions for growers varied considerably by region over the last day. Typical late-August influences produced the following patterns in many production areas:

• Corn Belt (MN/IA/WI/IL/IN/OH/MO/MI): Widely scattered to numerous thunderstorms near a slow-moving boundary, with localized heavy rain in the most persistent cells and dry stretches elsewhere. Temperatures ran warm and humid where clouds broke, cooler under thicker cloud cover.
• Northern Plains (ND/SD/NE, MT spring wheat areas): Mixed sun and clouds with isolated to scattered showers/storms, breezy in open country. Highs near seasonal norms to a bit above south.
• Central & Southern Plains (KS/OK/TX Panhandle): Hotter pockets with isolated late-day storms, especially near outflow boundaries. Variable rainfall—many fields remained dry while a few saw brief heavy downpours and gusty winds.
• Delta/Midsouth (AR/LA/MS, western TN): Muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms capable of short-duration heavy rain; some areas remained dry.
• Southeast (AL/GA/FL/Carolinas): Typical sea-breeze driven storms, locally heavy with frequent lightning and gusty winds; rapid drying between storms due to warmth and sun.
• Northeast (NY/PA/NJ/New England): Intervals of sun with spotty showers or storms, warm and humid in many lowland locations.
• Southwest & Four Corners: Isolated to scattered monsoonal storms over higher terrain with brief heavy rain and runoff in prone basins; many valley locations remained dry and hot.
• California Central Valley: Dry, hot afternoons with large diurnal swings; overnight and early morning lows offered modest crop stress relief.
• Pacific Northwest (PNW wheat/legumes): Dry for most areas, seasonably warm afternoons, cooler nights; a few breezier corridors east of the Cascades.
• Intermountain/Northern Rockies: Mixed sun and clouds with isolated showers or storms over higher terrain; downslope warming in favored valleys.

Seven-Day Outlook and Agronomic Implications

The next week features late-summer warmth for most, renewed storm chances along seasonally active fronts, and day-to-day variability in rainfall coverage. Confidence is higher for temperature trends than for pinpoint precipitation.

Corn Belt

Temperatures: Highs generally 78–88°F north and 82–92°F central/south; nights 60–70°F. Briefly cooler behind any frontal passages, warmer ahead of them.

Rainfall: Two to three rounds of showers/storms are possible as weak fronts ripple through. Many locations can pick up 0.25–1.25 inches over seven days, but distribution will be uneven with locally higher totals under slow-moving cells.

Impacts: Pollination through grain fill benefits from periodic cloud cover and moisture, but ponding is possible in low fields after heavy bursts. Disease pressure (foliar fungi) remains elevated in humid stretches; scout frequently. Fieldwork windows improve between storm rounds.

Confidence: Medium on temperatures, low–medium on rainfall placement.

Northern Plains

Temperatures: Near- to slightly above-normal; highs 78–90°F, coolest north, warmest south; lows 55–68°F.

Rainfall: Intermittent storms, mainly tied to frontal passages and upper-level impulses. Weekly totals commonly 0.10–0.75 inch, higher where storms cluster.

Impacts: Maturing small grains and row crops see modest stress relief where showers occur; wind gusts near storms can lodge vulnerable stands. Irrigation demand remains moderate where rains miss.

Confidence: Medium.

Central & Southern Plains

Temperatures: Warm to hot. Highs 90–100°F (locally higher in TX/OK); lows 68–78°F.

Rainfall: Isolated to scattered late-day storms on several afternoons/evenings, with very uneven coverage. Many locations stay below 0.50 inch for the week; locally 1–2 inches under slow-moving cells.

Impacts: Heat stress persists for dryland cotton, sorghum, and pasture. Irrigation demand stays high. Watch for heat-related stress on livestock; provide shade and water. Brief storm bursts may cause runoff on hard, dry soils.

Confidence: Medium on heat, low on rainfall distribution.

Delta/Midsouth

Temperatures: Seasonably hot and humid; highs 88–96°F, lows 72–78°F.

Rainfall: Daily chances of scattered thunderstorms, with localized 1–2 inch totals where cells repeat; many fields see 0.50–1.25 inches over seven days.

Impacts: Late-season disease pressure remains a concern for soybeans and rice under humid, warm conditions. Short drying windows may slow fieldwork; plan post-storm operations for late mornings/afternoons after dew lifts.

Confidence: Medium.

Southeast

Temperatures: Warm to hot; highs 88–95°F, lows 72–78°F. Coastal zones moderated by sea breezes.

Rainfall: Daily sea-breeze and Gulf-fed storms with highly variable totals. Weekly accumulations 0.75–2.00 inches common, with pockets higher where storms train.

Impacts: Afternoon downpours can cause short-term flooding in low fields; otherwise rapid drying aids hay curing between storms. Keep an eye on tropical disturbances that could enhance rainfall later in the period.

Confidence: Medium; tropical influences lower confidence in days 5–7 along the Gulf/Atlantic coasts.

Northeast

Temperatures: Seasonably warm; highs 78–88°F, cooler in higher terrain; lows 58–70°F.

Rainfall: Intermittent showers/storms on a couple of days with frontal passages. Totals 0.25–1.00 inch for many, locally higher under slow movers.

Impacts: Good maturation weather overall with periodic moisture to support late vegetables and pastures; watch for leaf wetness and disease pressure following humid stretches.

Confidence: Medium.

Southwest & Four Corners

Temperatures: Hot afternoons; deserts 98–108°F, plateau/high valleys 82–95°F; nights 60–80°F depending on elevation.

Rainfall: Spotty monsoonal storms, most likely over higher terrain during the afternoon/evening. Weekly totals highly variable: many locations under 0.25 inch, but favored mountains/foothills can see 0.50–1.25 inches.

Impacts: Risk of localized flash flooding in slot canyons and burn scars. Storm outflows may produce sudden wind shifts affecting spraying and harvest operations.

Confidence: Medium on temperature, low–medium on convective coverage.

California Central Valley

Temperatures: Warm to hot and dry; highs 92–102°F in the San Joaquin/Tulare basins, 88–98°F Sacramento Valley; lows 60–72°F.

Rainfall: Little to none.

Impacts: Consistent ripening and drying weather for grapes, nuts, processing tomatoes, and rice; maintain irrigation to offset high evapotranspiration.

Confidence: High.

Pacific Northwest (WA/OR/ID ag zones)

Temperatures: Seasonable to warm; highs 78–92°F lowlands, cooler near the coast and at elevation; lows 50–62°F.

Rainfall: Mostly dry outside of a weak disturbance that could bring light showers to far northern zones midweek.

Impacts: Favorable small grain harvest windows east of the Cascades; monitor afternoon breezes for fire danger in cured fuels.

Confidence: Medium–high.

Northern Rockies & Intermountain West

Temperatures: Near seasonal; highs 75–88°F valleys; lows 48–60°F.

Rainfall: Isolated to scattered mountain showers/storms, otherwise dry in many valleys. Weekly totals light for most.

Impacts: Generally good harvest and haying windows with typical afternoon gusts; brief storm threats near mountains.

Confidence: Medium.

Tropical Weather Watch

As the Atlantic enters its seasonal peak, low-confidence threats can emerge within 5–7 days for the Gulf Coast or Southeast coast. Any disturbance tracking toward the coast could markedly increase rainfall and wind impacts. Growers along the Gulf and Atlantic seaboards should review preparedness steps and watch official advisories for late-week developments.

Field Operations: Practical Guidance

• Heat and Livestock: Southern Plains, Delta, and parts of the Southeast will see heat indices that strain animals. Ensure shade, ventilation, and ample water; shift handling to early mornings.
• Disease Management: Humid, storm-prone belts (Delta, Southeast, Corn Belt) favor foliar diseases. Shorten scouting intervals; adjust fungicide timing to precede multi-day humid periods.
• Irrigation: Anticipate daily crop water use roughly 0.15–0.25 inch in humid East/Midwest, 0.25–0.35 inch in hot/dry West and Southern Plains depending on canopy stage and wind. Prioritize fields that repeatedly miss storms.
• Harvest Windows: Best multi-hour drying opportunities: PNW, California, Intermountain West, and portions of the Northern Plains between fronts. In the Corn Belt and Northeast, plan flexible schedules around convective windows.
• Soil Conservation: Where storms repeatedly track, keep residue in place and avoid aggressive tillage that increases runoff risk ahead of additional downpours.

Growing Degree Days and Maturation

Expect steady late-season heat units:

• Upper Midwest/Northern Corn Belt: ~12–18 GDD/day (base 50°F), faster south and slower north with frontal cool-downs.
• Central Corn Belt: ~16–22 GDD/day (base 50°F), supporting grain fill where soil moisture is adequate.
• Southern Plains/Delta: ~20–26 GDD/day (base 50°F), accelerating maturity but increasing water demand and heat stress.
• Pacific Coast/California Valleys: ~18–24 GDD/day (base 50°F), favorable for ripening specialty crops.

Storm-driven cloud cover can temporarily reduce daily accumulations; heat spikes will accelerate them.

Risk Hotspots to Monitor

• Flash Flooding: Any area with repeated storms—especially Southeast, Delta, and along stalled fronts in the Corn Belt and Plains—faces short-fuse runoff risk in low fields and urban edges.
• Severe Weather: Isolated severe storms possible near boundaries with damaging winds and hail; secure equipment and avoid late-day applications when storm initiation is likely.
• Heat Stress: Southern Plains and interior California: plan irrigation and work schedules to mitigate midday stress.
• Tropical Systems: Days 5–7 uncertainty grows for the Gulf and Southeast coasts; a moisture surge could dramatically alter rainfall totals.
• Fire Weather: Breezy, dry afternoons in parts of the PNW and Intermountain West; heed local burn restrictions.

Bottom Line for the Week Ahead

Expect a very typical late-summer pattern: heat holding in southern and western belts, periodic frontal storms bringing uneven but beneficial moisture to the Corn Belt and Plains, daily convection in the Southeast, and largely dry harvesting windows in the West. Tropical uncertainty late in the period bears close watch for Gulf and Atlantic agriculture. Flexible scheduling and close, field-level monitoring will pay dividends as rainfall remains highly variable over short distances.