Eastern Cornbelt:
Hight heat and humidity resulted in frequent heat warnings, air quality advisories, and thunderstorm warnings across the Eastern Cornbelt during the week.
Temperatures in Illinois climbed to the mid-90s with heat indices in the triple digits throughout the week, while Indianapolis, Ind., notched multiple consecutive days with temperatures above 90 degrees.
Heat index values across Ohio reached 100-104 degrees during the week, sparking strong thunderstorms on June 18 that produced strong winds and heavy rain, resulting in power outages and localized flash flooding. Thousands of residents in southeast Michigan were also without power after strong storms hit the region on June 19.
The regional corn crop was 92-94% emerged by June 16, with good or excellent ratings assigned to 73% of the acreage in Ohio, 72% in Michigan, 71% in Indiana, and 65% in Illinois. The soybean crop was 82-88% emerged by that date, with 61-71% of the regional acreage rated as good or excellent.
Western Cornbelt:
Central Iowa was hit with another round of heavy rain this week, with 1-3 inches reported in many locations at midweek. High heat and humidity returned after the precipitation, however, with highs reaching the 90s.
Eastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri also experienced spotty thunderstorms during the week, with reports of large hail and damaging winds at midweek in some locations. The previous weekend brought at least six confirmed tornadoes to eastern Nebraska on June 15.
With 95-98% of the regional corn crop and 78-90% of the soybeans emerged as of June 16, USDA rated 79-81% of the acreage in Nebraska as good or excellent, along with 74% in Iowa and 69-75% in Missouri. Good or excellent ratings were also assigned to 75% of Missouri’s rice and 59% of the state’s cotton on that date.
Northern Plains:
Torrential rain caused flooding in southeastern South Dakota and much of Minnesota during the week. Forecasts warned of up to four inches of rain across southeastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota as the week progressed, while some locations in northern Minnesota collected 6-7 inches of rain, causing flash flooding and road closures during the week.
Regional growers had 93-95% of the soybeans planted by June 16, along with 82-89% of the sunflowers and 96% of the sorghum. Corn emergence was rated at 93% in Minnesota, 90% in South Dakota, and 88% in North Dakota by that date, with good or excellent ratings assigned to 71-78% of the regional corn crop.
USDA placed 82-84% of Minnesota’s small grains crops in the good or excellent categories on June 16, along with 75-82% of the acreage in North Dakota and 68-78% in South Dakota.
Northeast:
Much of the Northeast was under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings during the week as hot, humid weather moved in from the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Heat indices climbed to 105 degrees in southern New England, with actual temperatures reaching the mid- to upper-90s in many locations. Boston and Westfield, Mass., both posted record-high temperatures on June 19, with Boston reaching 98 degrees and Westfield hitting 94.
Pennsylvania and western New York also experienced sweltering heat, sparking strong thunderstorms on June 18 in western Pennsylvania that produced large hail and 60 mph winds. High heat and humidity blanketed the Mid-Atlantic region as well, with highs in Maryland expected to approach 100 degrees by the end of the week.
Fully 91% of Pennsylvania’s corn was rated as good or excellent on June 16, with 80% of the crop emerged. Despite the favorable crop conditions, sources said the intense heat was starting to stress crops in some locations.
Eastern Canada:
Widespread heat warnings were in effect across Eastern Canada during the week as temperatures soared to the mid-30s C and humidex values reached the low- to mid-40s C.
The high heat and humidity sparked strong thunderstorms in several locations at midweek, with reports of flooded streets and power outages on June 19 in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Montreal.