Eastern Cornbelt:
High heat and humidity sparked strong thunderstorms across northern Illinois as the week progressed, with forecasts for June 13 warning of damaging winds and hail, flash flooding from heavy rain, and possible tornado activity. Highs were approaching the 90-degree mark across much of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio late in the week.
Corn planting had progressed to 93-95% complete in the region by June 9, with soybean planting estimated at 87-89% complete.
Western Cornbelt:
Severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect for multiple counties in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on June 12, with reports of large hail and damaging winds that caused widespread power outages. An EF-0 tornado was confirmed near Decatur, Neb.
A second storm hit central and southern Iowa on June 13, sparked by temperatures in the 90s and heat index values approaching the triple digits. A heat advisory was in effect for parts of northern and central Missouri on June 13, with heat index values climbing to 104-105 degrees.
Corn planting was 97-98% complete in the region by June 9, with soybean planting rated at 96% complete in Nebraska, 92% in Iowa, and 79% in Missouri. Nebraska growers also had 75% of the sorghum crop seeded by that date.
California:
Hot weather blanketed much of California in mid-June, with triple-digit highs reported across the state and heat advisories in effect for multiple locations, including the Bay Area and Central Valley. The high heat reportedly sparked some strong thunderstorm activity in the Sierra Nevada in Northern California as the week progressed.
Pacific Northwest:
After heavy rain earlier in June, most of Oregon saw warming temperatures and plenty of sunshine at mid-month, with highs in the 80s as the week progressed. Gusty winds and dry conditions in eastern Washington fueled a 75-acre wildfire at midweek that forced the evacuation of dozens of homes southwest of Spokane.
Much cooler weather was expected in Idaho and Montana by the coming weekend, along with gusty winds and rain for many areas and the possibility of snow at higher elevations.
Fully 79-86% of Idaho’s spring wheat and barley was rated as good or excellent as of June 9, compared with 61-68% in Montana and 57-63% in Washington.
Western Canada:
Strong thunderstorms rolled through southern Manitoba at midweek, producing large hail and damaging winds in some locations and prompting tornado warnings, with reports of funnel clouds spotted in southwestern areas of the province on June 12.
East-central Saskatchewan and central Alberta were also in the storm’s path, with severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings posted for a wide swath of both provinces on June 11-12. Forecasts warned of large hail, damaging winds, and torrential rain in some locations.
Most of the spring planting was complete in the region, though sources said parts of eastern Manitoba have been delayed by wet weather.