According to the Weather and Crop Bulletin report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), drought-easing rain in the south-central U.S. arrived too late for many summer crops—but boosted topsoil in advance of autumn planting operations and helped to revive rangeland and pastures.
Some of the heaviest and most widespread rain fell in parts of Texas. In stark contrast, little or no rain fell in late August and early September northwest of a line from the southern Rockies into the upper Great Lakes region. Sizzling temperatures accompanied the dry weather, abetting wildfire growth, reducing soil moisture, boosting irrigation demands, and bringing renewed stress to rangeland and pastures.
Dry weather extended into the western Corn Belt, maintaining stress on immature summer crops.
For the full USDA report for Sept. 7, click here.