Eastern Cornbelt:
Temperatures ranged from the mid-80s to low-90s across central and southern Illinois during the week, while highs in northern Illinois topped out at 90 degrees, with only spotty showers reported across the state.
Similar conditions were reported in Indiana, where temperatures were generally described as “comfortable” and rain chances sparse as the week progressed. Temperatures in northern Ohio topped out in the upper-70s at midweek, but highs in the 80s were once again expected by the weekend.
Illinois continued to lead the region in crop conditions, with 63-66% of the corn and soybeans in the state rated as good or excellent, compared with 47-52% in Indiana and Ohio. Ohio’s oat crop was 87% headed by July 10, with 65% of the acreage rated as good or excellent.
Western Cornbelt:
Daytime highs in Iowa at midweek ranged from the low-80s in eastern areas of the state to the low- to mid-90s in a few western Iowa locations. Forecasts called for only spotty thunderstorms during the week, with an increased chance of storms across Iowa by the end of the week.
High heat in Nebraska and Missouri sparked some spotty thunderstorms as the week progressed, with highs reaching the mid- to upper-90s in many areas. Drought conditions were expanding across Nebraska and southern Missouri, with some patches of extreme drought showing up in northeastern and southwestern Nebraska at mid-month.
Fully 79-81% of Iowa’s corn and soybeans were rated as good or excellent at mid-month, compared with 63-68% in Nebraska and 51-60% in Missouri. Nebraska’s sorghum crop was 65% good or excellent on July 10, while Missouri’s cotton and rice were reported at 58% and 65% good or excellent, respectively.
Northern Plains:
Strong storms churned through the Northern Plains in early July, causing crop and structural damage in some areas. A derecho on July 5 produced 99-mph winds in Howard, S.D., while strong storms in North Dakota on July 10 sparked wind gusts up to an estimated 120-mph near Fairfield and Beach, N.D.
Sweltering temperatures were reported in many areas as the week progressed, with highs in the Twin Cities expected to reach the low-90s by the weekend. The hot weather was accompanied by an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms late in the week.
The recent combination of heat and moisture gave crops a needed boost after a delayed start to planting. Good or excellent ratings were assigned to 69-79% of the corn and soybeans in the Dakotas on July 10, compared with 63-66% in Minnesota. Fully 80-88% of North Dakota’s spring wheat, barley, and oats fell into those two categories at mid-month, compared with 56-69% in Minnesota and South Dakota.
Northeast:
Strong thunderstorms were reported across southern and northern New England on July 12. The storms were sparked by high humidity and hot weather, with temperatures climbing to the upper-80s in some locations.
Storm warnings were also in effect on July 12 for eastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, with reports of damaging winds and large hail in some locations. Highs in Maryland reached to the upper-80s as the week progressed, with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the forecast for July 14.
The combination of heat, humidity, and well-timed showers has benefited the region’s crops. Fully 79% of Pennsylvania’s corn was rated as good or excellent on July 10, with 2% of the crop at the silking stage.
Eastern Canada:
High heat and humidity sparked a number of strong thunderstorms across Eastern Canada during the week. Heavy rain moved through parts of southern Ontario on July 11, while strong winds, downpours, and large hail were reported in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec on July 12.
A second front moved through the region on July 13-14, producing scattered showers in parts of Ontario and Quebec and prompting a tornado watch on July 14 in Nova Scotia. Forecasts warned of potentially strong thunderstorms in southwestern New Brunswick on July 14, with a risk of heavy rain and large hail in some areas.
Sources reported generally favorable crops conditions across the region, thanks to plenty of heat units. “Crops in the East are looking pretty good on the whole,” said one contact. “We are seeing some drought stress starting in certain regions, along Lake Erie especially, but other areas have had more than adequate rain, mostly along and into the Quebec border. We’ve had lots of heat – looking forward to Mother Nature serving up a little more rain.”