Northern Plains see drought expand following hot weather

The July 28^th drought monitor shows 67.9% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 2.7% from the previous week, with 47.8% in D1 level drought or higher, up 2.1%.Currently 29% (up 10%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 26% (up 8%) of soybean acres, and 42% (up 18%) of spring wheat acres also impacted. Spring wheat saw the largest week-over-week increase since August 2018 and now stands at the highest amount of crop in drought so far this crop year. For livestock, 48% (up 4%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 36% (up 5%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

The Plains continued to see hot temperatures and little rainfall this past week that led to worsening drought and continued stress to crops and livestock. The Southeast and mid-Atlantic states saw more rain, with some areas such as North Carolina receiving too much rainfall at times as localized totals reached nearly 8 inches.

The National Weather Service 7-day forecast expects rains to continue in most of the southern U.S., with spotty rains also forecast in the Midwest. Temperatures are expected to be mostly normal for the start of August, though areas further west see a higher probability of temperatures remaining above normal.

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