Drought Monitor shows fourth consecutive reduction of U.S. drought conditions

The June 30th drought monitor shows 67.0% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, down 2.9% from the previous week, with 47.8% in D1 level drought or higher, down 4.5%.Currently 19% (down 3%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 19% (down 3%) of soybean acres, and 19% (down 6%) of spring wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 45% (down 5%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 32% (down 2%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Rainfall was heaviest over the past week in a band stretching from the central and southern Plains to the Ohio and Tennessee River valleys. At times rainfall was too heavy in the mid-South, with flooding reported in Kentucky and Tennessee. Rainfall missed most of the lower Great Lakes regions. Warmer than usual temperatures dominated much of the central and eastern U.S. as the heat dome remained in place, though expectations of cooler weather are on the horizon.

The National Weather Service 7-day forecast expects temperatures to remain high over the holiday weekend, but notes that afterward the eastern portions of the U.S. should see some cooling the following week. Areas further west are expected to see temperatures rise with relatively little rainfall compared to elsewhere in the country.

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