The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has issued its extended weather forecasts, which signal poor conditions for filling corn and soybeans. The outlook for August calls for a continuation of hot and dry conditions across the Midwest. Meanwhile above-normal precip is expected over the four-corners region.
The CPC’s outlook for August through October calls for more of the same -- above-normal temps and below-normal precip for the Midwest. In fact, the best chance for above-normal temps is centered right over the eastern and southern Corn Belt.
As a result of the forecast and the current soil moisture profile, CPC says in its Seasonal Drought Outlook that drought will persist across current drought areas that include the Midwest and Plains, while some improvement is expected over the four-corners region.
“Dryness and drought, exacerbated by above-normal temperatures, have been increasing both in extent and intensity across much of the central and northern U.S.,” states the outlook. “Unfortunately, drought is expected to develop, persist, or intensify across these areas, and temperatures are likely to average above normal. Some widely-scattered relief may come in the form of cold front passages or organized thunderstorm clusters (MCSs), but widespread relief for much of the area is not expected. In the Southeast, recent widespread thunderstorm activity has slightly eased drought there, and the 3-month outlook favors increased odds for above normal precipitation along the central Gulf.”
Check the following links for maps of forecasts:
