Dashboard Report

This Week's Drought Summary (10/15)

2026-10-15T06:53:18.660-07:00

Drought conditions changed considerably across the U.S. this week. Heavy rain and early-season snow brought relief to parts of the West and Southeast, while unusually warm and dry weather continued to worsen drought across portions of the Midwest and South. In the West, a strong storm system combined with moisture from the remains of Hurricane Rachel, bringing rain and mountain snow to parts of the region. Snowfall totals reached 11 inches near Philipsburg, Montana, and nearly 10 inches at Great Falls, Montana, while rain and snow also affected portions of Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Additional precipitation across the Southwest helped improve drought conditions in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and the Rockies. Despite these improvements, significant drought persisted across portions of the Great Basin and Southwest.

Farther east, temperatures averaged 8 to 16 degrees above normal across portions of the Plains and Midwest. Combined with limited rainfall, the unusual warmth contributed to worsening drought across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A broader area of drought deterioration extended from southern Illinois and Indiana through Missouri and Kentucky into the lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee. Some of the most significant deteriorations occurred across southwestern Missouri, southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana, where persistent warmth and rainfall deficits continued to intensify drought conditions. In contrast, recent rainfall supported localized improvements across western and northern Texas, including portions of the Texas Panhandle.

The Southeast experienced some of the week's most widespread improvements as Hurricane Isaias brought heavy rainfall to the region, with totals exceeding 12 inches in parts of the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama. Although the rainfall caused localized flooding, it also helped ease drought from Virginia through the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida, with some locations improving by more than one drought category. In the Northeast, drought changes were mixed and largely depended on where precipitation fell. Areas receiving beneficial rainfall experienced localized improvements, while drought persisted or worsened in locations that missed the heavier precipitation.

Northeast

Drought conditions were mixed across the Northeast this week, with improvements across the Mid-Atlantic and portions of southern New England contrasting with deterioration farther north. A storm system brought widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, with localized totals exceeding 4 inches in the eastern West Virginia Panhandle. Rainfall exceeded 200 percent of normal across much of the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, easing short-term deficits and supporting one-category improvements in portions of Maryland and the eastern West Virginia Panhandle. Abnormal dryness (D0) was also reduced in portions of southern New England. However, lingering long-term deficits and groundwater shortages limited improvements across southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula.

Farther north, precipitation remained below normal across much of northern New England, with portions of Maine receiving less than 50 percent of normal rainfall. Persistent short- to long-term deficits supported expansion of severe drought (D2) in northern Maine and moderate drought (D1) in northern Vermont, while extreme drought (D3) was trimmed slightly along the eastern Maine coast. Abnormal dryness also expanded locally in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees above normal across much of the Mid-Atlantic, Pennsylvania and western New York, with localized departures of 4 to 6 degrees. Southern New England experienced near-normal temperatures, while northern New England was generally near or below normal, with portions of Maine averaging 2 to 4 degrees below normal.

Southeast

Drought conditions improved substantially across much of the Southeast as widespread heavy rainfall brought relief to areas that had experienced weeks of hot and dry weather. Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on Oct. 9 before moving inland through Alabama. The storm brought abundant tropical moisture across the region, producing heavy rainfall from the Florida Panhandle through Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Additional showers and thunderstorms developed along a weather front extending across Georgia and northern Florida, while moist air moving over the southern Appalachians produced locally heavier rainfall. Some of the heaviest rainfall occurred across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama. Preliminary rainfall totals from Oct. 9-10 included 12.47 inches near Caney Creek, Florida, 12.43 inches at DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 9.65 inches at Shalimar, Florida, 7.81 inches northeast of Tallahassee, Florida, and 7.52 inches at Destin, all in Florida. Farther north, Bellwood, Alabama, recorded 12.97 inches, while Kinston, Alabama, received 7.27 inches. In Georgia, Griffin recorded 4.09 inches, with 3.40 inches was reported near Thomasville (Weather Prediction Center). Heavy rainfall also extended into the Carolinas and southern Appalachians, causing localized flash flooding and rising rivers. Flooding affected portions of the western Florida Panhandle and the Carolinas, including areas along the Broad and Congaree rivers in South Carolina. Temperatures varied throughout the week, with widespread cloud cover and rainfall keeping daytime temperatures cooler in areas affected by the storm. However, locations that missed the heaviest rainfall continued to experience dry conditions following an unusually warm September.

The widespread precipitation supported substantial drought improvements across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. In Virginia, localized improvements occurred across northern and western portions of the state, including the New River and Roanoke valleys, where recent rainfall helped ease short-term moisture deficits. Farther south, improvements were widespread across western and central North Carolina, where severe drought (D2) and extreme drought (D3) were reduced and exceptional drought (D4) was removed. Improvements extended across the Upstate, Midlands and portions of the Coastal Plain in South Carolina, where heavy rainfall helped replenish soil moisture and reduce precipitation deficits. Farther south, widespread improvements also occurred across Georgia and Alabama, particularly in areas that received several inches of rain. Florida experienced substantial drought relief, with widespread improvements across northern and central portions of the state and additional localized improvements farther south. Despite the widespread relief, drought persisted in areas that received less precipitation or continued to experience longer-term moisture shortages.

South

Drought conditions were mixed across the South, with localized improvements in portions of Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee contrasting with widespread deterioration across the lower Mississippi Valley. Rainfall from Hurricane Isaias largely missed the region, with its precipitation only brushing portions of the Alabama-Mississippi border and leaving much of the drought-affected area without meaningful rainfall. Persistent precipitation deficits, unusually warm temperatures and elevated evaporative demand contributed to further drying across the region. These conditions followed record-breaking September warmth, when Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana experienced their warmest September in 132 years of records, while Tennessee and Mississippi recorded their second- and third-warmest Septembers, respectively (NCEI).

Drought deterioration was concentrated along and near the Mississippi River Valley, extending from eastern Texas and southern Louisiana northward through central Mississippi, Arkansas and west-central Tennessee. Continued precipitation deficits and depleted soil moisture contributed to the expansion and intensification of drought, particularly across Arkansas and northern Louisiana, where exceptional drought (D4) expanded. In contrast, localized improvements occurred across western Texas, including portions of the Texas Panhandle near the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders, where lingering benefits from precipitation during preceding weeks supported reductions in drought severity. Additional improvements occurred across north-central Texas near the Oklahoma border. Farther east, localized improvements in Mississippi and Tennessee were associated with rainfall from Hurricane Isaias, although precipitation was insufficient to provide widespread relief across the lower Mississippi Valley.

Midwest

Drought conditions generally persisted or worsened across the Midwest, with localized improvements in parts of the region. Temperatures averaged above normal throughout the Midwest, generally ranging from 4 to 12 degrees above normal across much of the Midwest, with the greatest departures across Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri, where some areas were 12 to 16 degrees above normal. The combination of unusually warm temperatures and limited rainfall maintained elevated evaporative demand and contributed to further drying across areas already experiencing drought. Most of the region received less than 50 percent of normal precipitation, with widespread areas receiving less than 25 percent of normal. Localized rainfall occurred across portions of Iowa, Minnesota and northern Michigan, but amounts were generally insufficient to support drought improvements.

Drought conditions intensified across northern and central Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where persistent short- and mid-term precipitation deficits, low streamflows and depleted soil moisture supported the expansion of severe drought (D2) and extreme drought (D3). In central Wisconsin, deterioration extended southward, reflecting worsening conditions across much of the northern and central portions of the state. Additional degradations occurred across southern Illinois, southern Indiana, Missouri and portions of Kentucky, where continued rainfall deficits and above-normal temperatures contributed to worsening drought conditions. The most significant deterioration occurred in southwestern Missouri, where exceptional drought (D4) was introduced following prolonged hot and dry conditions and increasing short- and mid-term moisture deficits. Elsewhere, drought conditions remained largely unchanged across Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio and Lower Michigan, where recent precipitation provided little meaningful relief from existing deficits.

High Plains

Drought conditions remained largely unchanged across the High Plains, with localized improvements across portions of North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado and limited deterioration in Kansas. Temperatures averaged 8 to 16 degrees above normal, with locally greater departures. The unusually warm conditions increased evaporative demand and contributed to continued moisture losses, particularly where precipitation was limited. Most of the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas received little precipitation during the week, with widespread areas recording less than 25 percent of normal. Localized precipitation occurred across portions of Wyoming and Colorado, but amounts were generally insufficient to produce widespread drought relief.

Localized improvements in North Dakota were supported by precipitation received during the current and preceding weeks, which helped ease short- and mid-term moisture deficits. Elsewhere, drought conditions remained largely unchanged across South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and much of the eastern plains of Wyoming and Colorado, where a lack of meaningful precipitation and lingering longer-term deficits supported existing classifications. In Kansas, localized degradations occurred across eastern border with Missouri, where continued dryness and above-normal temperatures contributed to worsening short-term conditions. Despite these changes, significant drought persisted across portions of the western High Plains, particularly in Wyoming and Colorado, where longer-term precipitation deficits and soil moisture shortages continued to limit recovery.

West

Drought conditions improved across portions of the West, with the most widespread improvements occurring across the Southwest and Intermountain West. A strong upper-level storm system interacting with moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Rachel brought beneficial precipitation to portions of the region Oct. 10–12. According to the National Hurricane Center, Rachel dissolved over the southwestern U.S. on Oct. 11, although its remnants continued to produce heavy rainfall and gusty winds across the Southwest. The storm system also brought early-season snow to portions of the northern Rockies, including Montana and higher elevations of Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Temperatures were unusually warm ahead of the storm across portions of the northern Rockies before falling sharply as colder air moved into the region. In Great Falls, Montana, temperatures reached the lower 80s ahead of the storm before dropping into the upper 30s during its passage (NWS Great Falls, Montana). Farther south, Idaho Falls, Idaho, recorded a high of 47 degrees on Oct. 13, approximately 14 degrees below normal (NWS Pocatello, Idaho).

Significant snowfall occurred across portions of Montana Oct. 10–12, with reported totals including 11 inches at Black Pine SNOTEL near Philipsburg, Montana, 9.7 inches at Great Falls Airport in Montana, 9 inches near Bearmouth and 8 inches near Anaconda and Livingston, Montana. Higher-elevation observations included 1.50 inches of snow-water equivalent at Black Pine SNOTEL and 0.80 inches at Barker Lakes SNOTEL (NWS Missoula, Montana). In eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls recorded 1.30 inches of precipitation from Oct. 10–13, including 0.87 inches on Oct. 11 (NWS Pocatello, Idaho). Rain and higher-elevation snow also affected portions of Wyoming and Utah, while precipitation reached parts of Colorado and the Southwest. In contrast, much of the Pacific Northwest and portions of California remained relatively dry.

Drought improvements were concentrated across portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, where recent precipitation and improving short- and mid-term moisture conditions supported localized reductions in drought severity. In northern New Mexico, extreme drought (D3) was reduced, while portions of Utah experienced reductions in severe drought (D2) and extreme drought (D3). Additional improvements occurred across western and north-central Montana and portions of Idaho, where rain and mountain snow helped ease existing moisture deficits. In Arizona, localized improvements continued following substantial drought relief during the preceding week, although longer-term deficits persisted. Elsewhere, drought conditions remained largely unchanged across Washington, Oregon, California and much of Nevada. Despite these improvements, significant drought persisted across portions of the Great Basin, Southwest and northern Rockies.

Caribbean

Drought conditions continued to improve across Puerto Rico this week, following additional rainfall that built on wetter conditions during previous weeks. Rainfall was uneven, with generally 0.5 to 2 inches across much of the island and localized totals of 2 to 4 inches, while temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees above normal at many reporting stations. Widespread improvements were made across eastern, western-interior and northwestern Puerto Rico, including reductions in drought severity and removal of abnormal dryness (D0) in portions of the east. Improvements were supported by wetter 30- to 60-day precipitation conditions, streamflows returning toward normal across eastern Puerto Rico and recovering reservoir levels. However, 90- to 120-day precipitation deficits persisted across the southern plains and Río de la Plata Basin, where rainfall remained insufficient to overcome longer-term deficits. Extreme drought (D3) and severe drought (D2) remained in portions of the southern plains, while critically low groundwater levels in the south-southeast and continued reservoir concerns in the Río de la Plata Basin limited additional improvements.

Early in the drought week (Wed, Oct 7 – Tue, Oct 13, 2026) a tropical wave passed south of the USVI, bringing showers and thunderstorms to the region. By Friday, warmer mid-level temperatures and weaker-than-average lapse rates largely capped the atmosphere, resulting in fewer showers and storms. On Saturday, an induced surface trough and its moisture field (with precipitable water values of about 2 inches) moved in from the east-northeast, resulting in fast-moving showers. This was followed by a retrograding mid- to upper-level trough which suppressed shower activity across the islands. By Tuesday, the lingering mid- to upper-level trough was west and southwest of the region, accompanied by slow-moving showers and thunderstorms, and increased lightning and flood threats. Satellite-based (NASA SPoRT GPM IMERG) 7-day rainfall ending at Oct 13, 1200 UTC indicated rainfall amounts were generally an inch or less.

At St. Croix, weekly rainfall measurements ranged from a maximum of 2.35 inches (6 days of data) at: VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9 NE) to a minimum of 0.78-inch at VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E). Between these two “bookend” values, rainfall totals in descending order included: 2.15 inches at VI-SC-29 (Frederiksted 2.5 NNE), 2.11 inches (6 days) at VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE), 1.97 inches (6 days) at station VI-SC-32 (Frederiksted 1.9 NNW), 1.65 inches (5 days) at VI-SC-25 (Christiansted 4.4 W), 1.58 inches at VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), 1.50 inches at VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W), 1.31 inches (5 days) at station VI-SC-37 (Frederiksted 5.6 E), 1.23 inches (5 days) at VI-SC-24 (Christiansted 2.1 ENE), and 1.01 inches of rain at VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW). The USGS Adventure 28 Well water level ranged from 26.38 feet to 28.50 feet below the land surface during this period. At East Hill (672560) the SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index) values at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-months were: -1.01, -1.89, -2.24, -1.38, and -1.48 (respectively). The 1-month value of -1.01 is particularly telling, and lends support for maintaining D3-S conditions at St. Croix this week, despite the worsening trend in recent weeks.

Like St. Croix, St. John also received much-needed rain this week, spread out across several days. Amounts ranged from a maximum of 1.48 inches (6 days) at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E) to a minimum of 0.64-inch (5 days) at VI-SJ-8 (Cruz Bay 7.4 E). Intermediate precipitation totals included 1.31 inches at Windswept Beach (VI-SJ-3; its total for the month of September is 2.63 inches), 1.10 inches (only 3 days of data) at VI-SJ-11 (Coral Bay 0.7 NW), and 0.73-inch at VI-SJ-10 (Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW). The water level at the USGS Susannaberg Dpw 3 Well ranged from 19.35 feet to 19.45 feet below the land surface this week. At Windswept Beach, the SPI values at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-months were: -1.51, -1.82, -2.16, -1.32, and -1.48, respectively. Though the 1-month SPI value is more serious compared to the -1.01 value at St. Croix, it still favors postponing degradation of the drought category this week at St. John (therefore maintaining D3-S conditions).

At St. Thomas, only two precipitation measurements were available this week in CoCoRaHS. Station VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N) reported 0.83-inch of rain (5 days), and VI-ST-5 (Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW) came in with 0.58-inch of rain (4 days). The water level at the USGS Grade School 3 Well ranged from 8.96 feet to 9.85 feet below the land surface, which helps to corroborate the D4-S conditions still entrenched at St. Thomas.

Pacific

Drought conditions improved slightly across Alaska this week. Precipitation was generally light across much of the Interior, while portions of Southcentral and Southeast Alaska received heavier rainfall, with localized totals exceeding 2 inches. Recent precipitation supported a small reduction in abnormal dryness (D0) in the eastern Interior. Abnormal dryness (D0) was also removed from portions of the southern Alaska Panhandle. Although short-term precipitation conditions improved, lingering deficits at longer timescales continued to support abnormal dryness (D0) in portions of the central and northern Panhandle. Remaining drought classifications were unchanged.

Drought conditions remained unchanged across Hawaii this week. Rainfall was generally uneven, with trade-wind showers favoring windward and higher-elevation areas, while leeward locations received limited precipitation. Temperatures remained warm, with daytime highs generally in the 80s at lower elevations and locally reaching the lower 90s. Despite continued dryness along portions of the leeward Big Island, conditions did not warrant additional drought expansion. Abnormal dryness (D0) remained confined to the leeward Big Island, while the other islands stayed drought-free.

A rather complex and frequently changing weather pattern dominated the region of the USAPI this past drought week (Wed, Oct 7 - Tue, Oct 13, 2026). Some noteworthy features included the monsoon trough, surface convergence zones, Invests 95W and 96W, distant Typhoon Koguma (27W), and tropical ridging. Koguma remained over northern parts of the USAPI domain, primarily affecting marine areas with longer-period ocean swells, and exited Guam’s area of responsibility to the north on Sunday. Across Micronesia, the monsoon trough was a dominant feature, though displaced a bit to the north. Invest 96W, over northern portions of eastern Micronesia, was slow to organize this week, but brought heavier rainfall amounts (1-4 inches) to the region. South of the equator, surface high pressure located south of American Samoa maintained breezy east-southeast trades to the territory, as a trough to the north allowed moisture to remain embedded within the trade wind flow during this period.

NASA SPoRT (GPM IMERG) satellite-based rainfall totals for the past 7-days ending 12 UTC on 13 Oct indicate much of the USAPI domain received an inch or less of rain, with central Micronesia seeing little if any precipitation. The heavier amounts (1-4 inches) fell over a relatively circular region centered over northern portions of eastern Micronesia, associated with Invest 96W, and also in the vicinity of Guam. Generally, a half-inch or less of rain was indicated over American Samoa this past drought week.

Over Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), precipitation amounts ranged from 9.21 inches at Guam down to 1.93 inches at the Rota Airport. Other totals included Tinian (2.85 inches, 5 days), Dededo (2.51 inches, 6 days), and Saipan International Airport (2.40 inches, only 3 days of data). All stations remain free of dryness and drought this week, having easily surpassed the minimum weekly rainfall (1-inch) needed to meet most water needs.

In the Republic of Palau, rainfall amounts this past week were light, with an even half-inch reported at WSO Palau (Airai) and 0.06-inch at Koror. Despite being a “dry” week (rainfall did not reach the required 2-inch weekly minimum), Palau’s designation remains at D0-S.

Across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), observed rainfall amounts ranged from a maximum of 4.75 inches at Gilman to 0.00-inch at Nukuoro, Lukunoch (5 days), Woleai, and Kapingamarangi. Intermediate precipitation amounts in descending order include: North Fanif (4.70 inches), Yap Island (4.57 inches), Pohnpei (4.01 inches), Rumung (3.04 inches), Kosrae (2.62 inches), Ulithi (1.65 inches), and Chuuk (0.01-inch, 6 days). Rainfall data was unavailable this week at both Fananu and Pingelap. Kapingamarangi has not received any precipitation in the last few weeks and will need to be reassessed for possible deterioration next week. For now, it retains its D1-S drought designation. There were a total of 6 stations that were relatively “dry” this week: Nukuoro, Lukunoch, Woleai, Kapingamarangi, Ulithi, and Chuuk.

Considerable variation in rainfall amounts was noted this week across the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The heaviest rainfall was reported at Majuro (5.93 inches), followed by Utirik (3.51 inches, only 4 days of data while missing Oct 9-11), Ailinglaplap (3.45 inches, 6 days), Kwajalein (2.36 inches), Jaluit (1.30 inches, 6 days), and Mili (0.04-inch, only 4 days of data while missing Oct 9-11). There was very little data to work with at Wotje this week, so it is considered missing. The two stations that were relatively “dry” this week were Jaluit and Mili.

Over the South Pacific, American Samoa experienced relatively light rainfall this drought week. Siufaga Ridge observed 1.50 inches of rain followed by the Pago Pago Airport (0.82-inch) and Toa Ridge (0.72-inch). None of the three reporting locations received the minimum weekly rainfall requirement of 2-inches to meet most water needs. Tutuila retains its D0-S drought designation this week.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five to seven days (Oct. 15-20), the Weather Prediction Center’s (WPC) five-day quantitative precipitation forecast shows a broad area of precipitation extending from the Southwest and southern Plains northeastward into the Midwest and Great Lakes. The heaviest precipitation is forecast from central and eastern Texas into Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, where widespread totals of 2 to 5 inches are indicated, with localized amounts exceeding 5 inches. Additional precipitation of 1 to 3 inches is forecast across portions of the central Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, with locally higher totals. Heavy precipitation is also forecast along the central Gulf Coast and offshore of Florida, while much of California, Nevada and the interior Southwest are expected to remain relatively dry.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day temperature outlook (Oct. 19–23) favors above-normal temperatures across much of the central and eastern U.S., including the Great Plains, Midwest, Mississippi Valley, Southeast and Northeast. The strongest probabilities for above-normal temperatures are centered over portions of the central Plains and Mississippi Valley, where continued warmth could increase evaporative demand and contribute to additional drying in areas that miss significant precipitation. In contrast, below-normal temperatures are favored across portions of the western U.S., particularly along the West Coast and into the Great Basin and Southwest. The outlook favors near-normal temperatures, while above-normal temperatures are favored across portions of southeastern Alaska.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day precipitation outlook (Oct. 19–23) favors above-normal precipitation across much of the western and central U.S., including portions of the West, northern and central Plains, Mississippi Valley and Upper Midwest. These areas may see additional opportunities for drought relief, particularly where recent precipitation has already improved short-term moisture conditions. In contrast, below-normal precipitation is favored across portions of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, where continued dryness could reinforce existing precipitation deficits. Above-normal precipitation is also favored across much of Alaska, including portions of the Interior and Southeast Alaska.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 33% Harvested, Soybeans 46% Harvested as of Oct. 11

2026-10-13T13:56:38.622-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- A week of dry weather helped farmers advance corn and soybean harvests, though both remained slightly behind the five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Tuesday. The report, which is normally released on Mondays, was delayed this week due to the Columbus Day holiday.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn mature was pegged at 91%, steady with the five-year average.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 33% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Oct. 11, 6 percentage points behind the five-year average of 39%. DTN Lead Analyst Rhett Montgomery noted that harvest progress remains slow in top-producing Iowa, where just 14% of the corn crop is harvested.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 56% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, 2 percentage points higher than the previous week's 54%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, 1 percentage point below the previous week's 18%.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 92%, 2 percentage points behind the five-year average of 94%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 46% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 50%. Montgomery said Illinois was slightly ahead of schedule, with 48% harvested compared to its five-year average of 46%. Iowa was running well behind its normal pace, with 31% harvested compared to its five-year average of 59%.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 51% complete nationally, 7 percentage points behind the five-year average of 58%. Montgomery said Kansas was 44% planted, compared to the state's five-year average of 56%.

-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 27%, 5 percentage points behind the five-year average 32%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Recent dry weather gave farmers a chance to make fieldwork progress, but heavy rain will affect parts of the Central U.S. this week, and a shot of cold may bring frosty mornings to the Corn Belt before warmer and drier conditions return, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"Last week was a really great week of dry weather that should have helped a lot of areas to drain and accelerate their fieldwork," Baranick said. "But we did have heavy rain move through the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic due to Hurricane Isaias and its remnants. We've got some more disruptions this week. A system brought snow to Montana over the weekend and moved across the north this week that will leave some areas a bit too wet. But a much larger system in the West will start to impact areas east of the Rockies later Tuesday and continue through Friday as it slowly moves through the country. Areas of heavy rain will once again fall from west Texas into Missouri with more moderate rain being likely elsewhere in the Corn Belt. Rain won't make it down into the Delta or Southeast though, causing drought to grow in the Delta, but allowing those in the Southeast to recover from the heavy rain from Isaias.

"A shot of cold is following in behind the system and that may make for a frosty morning on Friday or Saturday across the Western Corn Belt and Saturday or Sunday in the Eastern Corn Belt. But any cold air will be brief as another window of warmer and drier conditions moves back in for the weekend and early next week, giving us another good window for fieldwork."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn mature	91	83	NA	91
Corn harvested	33	23	NA	39
Soybeans dropping leaves	92	85	NA	94
Soybeans harvested	46	25	NA	50
Winter wheat planted	51	36	NA	58
Winter wheat emerged	27	16	NA	32
Cotton bolls opening	82	74	NA	83
Cotton harvested	31	23	NA	29
Sorghum mature	80	72	NA	85
Sorghum harvested	40	32	NA	48
Rice harvested	92	86	NA	87
Sugarbeets harvested	32	19	NA	36
Sunflowers harvested	14	6	NA	14
Peanuts harvested	29	22	NA	34

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	5	12	27	44	12
Prev Week	6	12	28	42	12
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	10	29	46	11
Prev Week	4	10	29	46	11
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Peanuts
This Week	2	11	33	48	6
Prev Week	1	9	33	50	7
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	12	24	30	28	6
Prev Week	12	25	30	27	6
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (10/13)

2026-10-13T07:10:08.324-07:00

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (10/12)

2026-10-12T06:56:36.854-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 8 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	3715006 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (10/8)

2026-10-08T07:18:44.795-07:00

Heavy to excessive rainfall impacted significant parts of the Contiguous States this past week. Amounts of 4 to locally over 8 inches of rain were common across south-central and southeastern Georgia, northeastern Florida, the Florida Panhandle, portions of the immediate Gulf Coast, and a swath from central Texas through the middle Red River (South) Valley. This brought an abrupt end to a protracted spell of hot and dry weather across the southern Great Plains that dated back through most of the summer. Dallas, TX recorded 4 inches of rain from September 30 through the first week of October, including a daily total of 3.47 inches on October 1. Prior to that, Dallas recorded only 0.01 inch of rainfall July 16 through September 29 (76 days), and a total of 2.27 inches going back to June 8. Elsewhere, a few broad areas recorded at least 2 inches for the week, including most of the Gulf Coast, southern Alabama, central and southern Georgia, the northern half of Florida, a large stripe through central and adjacent eastern Texas, central through southeastern Oklahoma, and in numerous patches from southeastern Colorado and much of Kansas through southeastern Nebraska, portions of Iowa, northern Missouri, northern Illinois, and the central to southern Great Lakes Region. In some of the wetter locations across the central Plains and adjacent Front Range, impacts improved substantially enough to justify 2-cagegory improvements on the Drought Monitor. Meanwhile, several patches across northern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, and the adjacent Lower Ohio Valley also received 2 or more inches of rain. Moderate totals exceeding 0.5 inch, with localized totals topping 2 inches, affected areas from the central High Plains and southern half of the Great Plains eastward and northeastward through much of the Mississippi and Lower Ohio Valleys, the central and southern Great Lakes, the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and the St. Lawrence Valley. Meanwhile, light precipitation at best was observed through most of the Northeast, the Upper Ohio Valley, the far Upper Mississippi Valley, the northern Great Plains, and most areas from the High Plains to the Pacific Coast outside Kansas, Colorado, and northern New Mexico. Many existing areas of drought that were impacted by the heavy precipitation experienced marked relief, but despite expansive areas receiving little or no measurable precipitation, drought intensification was limited in extent, largely due to the lower temperatures and the typical autumnal decline in human and environmental water demand.

Northeast

Severe drought (D2) was introduced across the northern half of Maine following a few tenths of an inch of precipitation last week and slowly deteriorating surface moisture conditions. Similarly, declining streamflows led to moderate drought (D1) expansion through northern sections of New Hampshire and adjacent Vermont. Farther south, the trend observed periodically over the past several months continues, with coverage of abnormal dryness and moderate drought (D0-D1) continuing to slowly erode. Moderate drought was removed from southeastern New Hampshire while D0 was pulled out of south-central New Hampshire, parts of Delaware and southeastern Maryland, and Lower Southern Maryland. Despite a few episodes of heavy precipitation over the past several weeks, D1 is maintained in northeastern and southeastern sections of Massachusetts due to several wells showing near-record-low groundwater levels and quickly-declining streamflows noted in the wake of heavy precipitation events, suggesting the moisture budget remains deficient beyond surface to root zone moisture.

Southeast

Widespread heavy rains exceeding 2 inches, with broad swaths receiving 5 to locally 10 inches, supported widespread 1-category improvements across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia, coastal South Carolina, and the eastern tier of the Florida Peninsula. Farther north, heavy precipitation was spottier, and therefore only relatively small patches of improvement were introduced. A few areas missed out on the moderate to heavy precipitation, resulting in some modestly-increased precipitation deficits and worsening dryness impact indicators like streamflow. This prompted some deterioration in the depiction across a few relatively small areas in southeastern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, central South Carolina, and the northern half of Georgia. Farther south, across the central and western Florida Peninsula, generally moderate rainfall was observed, keeping dryness and drought intensities unchanged in most locations.

South

A variable precipitation pattern was observed across Tennessee and the Lower Mississippi Valley last week, resulting in some areas of nominal improvement (scattered across eastern Tennessee, southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and northern and northwestern Arkansas) and other areas of somewhat increased moisture deficits and deterioration (scattered across central and western Tennessee, southern and eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and central through southwestern Louisiana). Farther west, across Texas and Oklahoma, broad areas recorded heavy to excessive precipitation, resulting in several sizeable areas of widespread improvement. Multiple inches of rain – for the second consecutive week in some areas – induced improvements across most of southeastern and Deep South Texas, and in a swath from central Texas through much of the Red River (South) Valley into central Oklahoma. Farther west, across the Big Bend and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, light to moderate precipitation following the excessive amounts recorded last week led to widespread one-category improvements. Enough precipitation was observed to support 2-category improvements at a few locations in Deep South Texas, south-central Oklahoma, and the western Oklahoma Panhandle. There were a few patches in southwestern Texas and the northern interior missing the heavy precipitation that hit most locations over the past couple of weeks, resulting in scattered spots of deterioration. Improvement was far more common across Texas and Oklahoma, however, as opposed to the mixed bag of changes noted farther east.

Midwest

Dryness and drought continued affecting the southern and northern tiers of the region this past week while persistently wet weather over the past few months has a void of dryness and drought stretching from Iowa and northern Missouri eastward north of the Ohio River and south of the Great Lakes States. Moderate to locally heavy precipitation (1 to locally 2.5 inches) fell on the dry areas across the central Lower Peninsula of Michigan, removing most of the moderate drought there and reducing D0 coverage slightly. Farther north, only light precipitation was noted across northern Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and adjacent areas, resulting in broad 1-category deterioration. Exceptional Drought (D4) expanded in coverage across northern Wisconsin, and D2 conditions were brought into a large part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. To the west, drought remained essentially unchanged over most of Minnesota, with only isolated changes noted. Along the southern tier of the Midwest Region, continued subnormal precipitation allowed for areas of deterioration across central and eastern Kentucky and parts of southern Missouri while locally higher amounts prompted limited improvement in some locales near the Mississippi/Ohio Confluence and west-central Missouri.

High Plains

Widespread heavy precipitation abetted robust improvement across eastern Colorado, central and western Kansas, and parts of southern Nebraska. Numerous locations reported 3 to locally over 6 inches of rain, which was sufficient to support 2-category improvements in portions of southeastern Colorado and the western half of Kansas. Precipitation amounts declined abruptly north of a line from central Colorado through northeastern Nebraska, and only a few tenths of an inch at best was observed beyond this delineation. Still, improvements were introduced in parts of the central and northern Dakotas where earlier precipitation may have been more beneficial than initially assessed. The only areas of deterioration noted were in northeastern Colorado and part of north-central Wyoming, which consistently have been north and/or west of the heaviest precipitation. Elsewhere, dryness and drought intensities did not markedly change from last week.

West

Moderate to heavy precipitation (0.5 to locally approaching 2.0 inches) fell early in the period across north-central and northeastern New Mexico, but conditions were quiet across the rest of the West Region. There were scattered small areas reporting a few tenths of an inch of precipitation last week, primarily in Montana and the lower Four Corners States, while most sites observed no measurable amounts. But despite the predominantly dry week, fairly substantial areas of improvement were noted as the environmental response to earlier above-normal to heavy precipitation continued. Improvement was most common this week across New Mexico, Arizona, and Montana, with a few areas also noted in southeastern Idaho and Utah. Across almost all of Nevada, Idaho, and the three West Coast States, dryness and drought were essentially unchanged from the prior week.

Caribbean

Scattered moderate rains affected the Commonwealth last week, perpetuating the trend in recent weeks for improvement to outpace deterioration. Dryness eased its grip on some areas in the north-central, eastern, and southwestern Puerto Rico while other locations were not significantly different than one week prior.

Early in the drought week (Wed, Sep 30 – Tue, Oct 6, 2026), synoptic drivers for the weather conditions observed across the islands included an upper-level low pressure system positioned northeast of the USVI with upper-level convergence across the forecast area, inhibiting the development of deep thunderstorm activity. By mid-period, showers were noted to pass over the islands with the main trough now west of the area over Hispaniola. Conditions aloft over the USVI gradually became less favorable for strong convection as temperatures warmed and mid-level lapse rates weakened. The heat threat was more prominent towards the end of the drought week, along with an increased risk of afternoon thunderstorms.

Weekly estimated rainfall amounts from satellite-based NASA SPoRT (GPM IMERG) data ending Oct 6th at 1200 UTC ranged from near zero to about 0.8-inch, with somewhat higher amounts indicated over Puerto Rico (several inches), especially the western portion of the Commonwealth.

At St. Croix, precipitation amounts in descending order included: VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE, 1.66 inches, 6 days of data), VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE, 0.66-inch), VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E, 0.39-inch), VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W, 0.38-inch, 5 days), VI-SC-29 (Frederiksted 2.5 NNE, 0.37-inch), VI-SC-37 (Frederiksted 5.6 E, 0.30-inch, 5 days), VI-SC-32 (Frederiksted 1.9 NNW, 0.30-inch, 3 days), VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW, 0.25-inch), VI-SC-25 (Christiansted 4.4 W, 0.14-inch), and VI-SC-24 (Christiansted 2.1 ENE, 0.04-inch, 1 day). The Adventure 28 Well water level varied between 26.30 feet and 26.64 feet below the land surface during this period. At East Hill (#672560) the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-months were, respectively: -1.67, -2.22, -2.35, -1.3, and -1.7. This is consistent with D3/D4 conditions and if next week continues to be abnormally dry, St. Croix’s drought depiction may be degraded further to D4.

Rainfall totals at St. John ranged from 0.62-inch at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E) to 0.02-inch at VI-SJ-10 (Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW). Intermediate amounts included 0.05-inch at VI-SJ-11 (Coral Bay 0.7 NW, 4 days of data), 0.10-inch at VI-SJ-8 (Cruz Bay 7.4 E, 2 days of data), and 0.15-inch of rain at VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach). In addition, Windswept Beach reported a total of only 2.63 inches of precipitation for the entire month of September. The drought has stretched out to 5 months now, from May through September 2026. Each of those 5 months has featured a rainfall deficit (compared to the 1984-2025 mean value) greater than 2 inches, which totals 13.22 inches. The well-water level at the Susannaberg Dpw 3 Well showed a steady decline throughout the period, from 19.11 feet below the land surface at the start to 19.35 feet at the end of the period. The SPI values at Windswept Beach (VI-SJ-3) at (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-months) are, respectively: -2.26, -1.72, -2.17, -1.22, and -1.76. These values are comparable to those at the shorter 1- and 3-month periods for St. Croix, and if deterioration continues next week, St. John’s drought depiction will also be degraded from D3-S to D4-S.

At St. Thomas, an even half-inch of rain was reported at VI-ST-5 (Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW) and 0.41-inch at VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N). The groundwater level at the Grade School 3 Well began the period at 9.26 feet below the land surface, and finished at 8.98 feet near the very end of the period. It appears that some rain fell on Oct 3 (assuming no human water management was involved), boosting the well water level to 9.06 feet by the middle of that afternoon. The water level gradually declined thereafter until the late evening of Oct 6, when another shower boosted the well level to 8.98 feet. This week, St. Thomas retains its D4-S designation.

Pacific

Moderate to heavy precipitation was reported across Southeast Alaska, but this is a wet time of the year there, and moisture deficits have been slow to improve. As a result, D0 conditions are unchanged there from last week. Farther north, no changes were supported across the D0 and D1areas in east-central Mainland Alaska despite spotty precipitation.

Episodes of heavy to excessive precipitation over the past several months have removed drought from the island chain, but a stubborn area of abnormal dryness (D0) has been hanging on across leeward locations on the Big Island. This week, a variety of indicators improved sufficiently to remove the southern reaches of the D0 area, but lingering precipitation deficits remain intact along most of the western tier of the Big Island.

At the beginning of the drought week (Wed, Sep 30 - Tue, Oct 6, 2026), Invest 93 brought showers and thunderstorms to the Marianas. Western portions of Micronesia were dominated by monsoonal showers and thunderstorms, while eastern areas experienced mostly clear to partly cloudy skies. By Friday evening, Oct 2, strong to gale-force southwesterly winds prevailed across the Marianas, largely influenced by the outgoing Tropical Storm Choi-wan (26W) and enhanced monsoon surge from the southwest. By late in the period, Choi-wan (26W) had intensified into a super-typhoon as it continued to exit the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) region well to the north. The southwestern monsoon surge had weakened, accompanied by slowly improving marine conditions. By early Monday evening, Oct 5, super-typhoon Choi-wan (26W) was located well east-northeast of Iwo Jima. Maximum sustained winds of 155 mph were reported by JTWC earlier in the day. Typhoon Nolo (15E) recently crossed the Date Line from the Central Pacific and was continuing to move westward at a fairly moderate clip (17 mph), with peak sustained winds of 115 mph. Tropical Depression Koguma (27W), formerly known as JTWC’s Invest 94, was centered over the northern Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Koguma strengthened into a Tropical Storm shortly thereafter and by early Tuesday afternoon was centered 315 miles NNW of Kwajalein atoll near 13N/167E. Finally, in western Micronesia, the monsoon surge remained the dominant feature in the region, and was located over Palau and Yap early Monday evening, Oct 5, producing thunderstorms, showers, and gusty winds. In the South Pacific, showers embedded within the easterly wind flow continued to move across the islands from time to time. Surface high pressure to the south of American Samoa will continue to promote this easterly flow pattern, while keeping a trough to the north of the region at bay.

NASA SPoRT (GPM IMERG) satellite-based estimated rainfall totals for the past 7-days ending 12 UTC on Oct 6 indicate about 1-inch has generally fallen around Palau (though very localized 5-6 inch amounts were measured by ground-based rain gauges) and the western Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), with embedded pockets of 1-2 inches. A broad arc of 1-8 inch precipitation amounts was depicted from the CNMI eastward and southeastward to the RMI, with most of the heavier 4-8 inch totals concentrated in the vicinity of the CNMI. A large portion of the central FSM reported an inch or less of precipitation for the week. South of the equator, rainfall amounts were generally under 0.75-inch across American Samoa.

Tropical cyclones and monsoon surges ensured Guam and the CNMI had enough rainfall this past week not only to meet minimum weekly water requirements (1-inch or greater) but also monthly thresholds (4-inches or greater). According to xmACIS2 data, Dededo received the jackpot this week with 7.41 inches of rain (7 days of data). Something of note is that Dededo’s total September rainfall was 14.92 inches, which is interesting being just 10 days or so away from Columbus Day. Other totals for the week in descending order are: Guam (6.23 inches), Saipan International Airport (5.87 inches, 5 days of data), Rota Airport (5.47 inches), and Tinian (4.50 inches, 5 days of data). Guam and the CNMI remain dryness and drought-free.

The Republic of Palau measured 5.92 inches of rain at WSO Palau (Airai) and 5.01 inches of rain (6 days of data) at Koror. Given these amounts, Palau’s drought designation was improved from D1-S to D0-S this week.

Precipitation measurements taken across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) that reached or exceeded weekly minimum water requirements (2 inches) included (in descending order): Gilman (3.24 inches), Kapingamarangi (2.75 inches, 6 days, stays D1-S), North Fanif (2.13 inches), Ulithi (2.12 inches, 5 days), and Nukuoro (2.02 inches, 6 days). The locations that came in short of the 2-inch minimum requirement included: Rumung (1.82 inches, 6 days), Yap Island (1.62 inches, 6 days), Kosrae (1.29 inches, though only 2 days of data were available), Woleai (1.27 inches), Chuuk (0.14-inch), Lukunoch (0.04-inch, 6 days), and Pohnpei (Trace, 6 days). No data was available this week for either Fananu or Pingelap. No changes were made to any of the station designations within the FSM this week.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) reported several stations that reached or surpassed the weekly minimum rainfall requirement this week. These include: Majuro (4.66 inches), Mili (2.97 inches, 3 days) and Kwajalein (2.21 inches). The stations that did not receive adequate rainfall this week included Jaluit (1.45 inches, 6 days), Utirik (1.25 inches), Wotje (1.13 inches, 5 days), and Ailinglaplap (1.02 inches, 6 days). All drought designations remain dryness and drought free.

In American Samoa, precipitation amounts for the week ranged between 0.40-inch at Toa Ridge to 0.50-inch at Siufaga Ridge, with an intermediate value of 0.44-inch (6 days) at the Pago Pago Airport. Tutuila retains its D0-S designation this week.

Looking Ahead

During October 7-12, Tropical Storm Isaias in the southwestern Gulf is expected to intensify into a category-2 hurricane and head northeastward and then northward toward the United States. After peaking in intensity and beginning to weaken, landfall is expected somewhere along the north-central or northeastern Gulf Coast late October 9. Once inland, Isaias should weaken more quickly as the remnant circulation tracks northward into the Southeast or adjacent Lower Mississippi Valley. Sustained winds are expected to peak around 105 mph in the northern Gulf, but with weakening expected to start prior to landfall up to a couple hundred miles inland. A surge of tropical moisture is expected to accompany Isaias into the Southeast, bringing moderate to heavy rains into the region, reaching as far northward as the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic Region. By the end of the period, upwards of 7 inches of rain are expected in a few parts of the Florida Panhandle, and amounts exceeding 3 inches are forecast as far north as northern Alabama and adjacent areas in Mississippi and Georgia. Most areas along the Carolinas Coast are also expected to receive over 3 inches of rain. Farther west, another push of tropical moisture into the interior West could bring 3 to 6 inches of precipitation to isolated spots in the higher elevations of northeastern Utah and west-central Wyoming. At least 1.5 inches of rain are anticipated from central Mississippi eastward, reaching as far north as the Tennessee Valley, southern Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic Region. Scattered locations in the higher elevations of the interior West and southern California Coastal Ranges are also forecast to record over 1.5 inches of precipitation by October 12. Moderate amounts exceeding 0.5 inch should cover southernmost Florida along with the greater Ohio Valley, most of the Appalachians, central and southern New York, and southern New England. Many lower elevations across the interior West are also expected to see at least 0.5 inch. In contrast, little or no precipitation is expected in many areas impacted by dryness and drought, including the Far West to the north and west of the Sierra Nevada, most of the Plains and Great Lakes Region, and western reaches of the Lower Mississippi Valley. Above-normal temperatures are anticipated across a broad swath of the Nation’s Midsection from the southern and central Plains through the Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes Region. Daily high temperatures are expected to average at least 4 deg. F above normal there, with anomalies exceeding +10 deg. F from north-central Texas through most of Oklahoma and adjacent parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Farther west, most locations from the northern and western Rockies to the Pacific Coast are expecting below normal temperatures, along with most of Montana. Daily highs are expected to average at least 3 deg. F below normal from the Cascades southward and eastward, with anomalies of -8 to -12 deg. F forecast in the northern Great Basin, northern Rockies, and High Plains of Montana.

Wetter than normal conditions are expected over the ensuing 5 days (October 13-17) across a large part of the Contiguous U.S. from the Rockies and northern High Plains eastward through New England, the Mid-Atlantic Region, the southern Appalachians, and the Florida Panhandle. The best odds for unusually heavy precipitation extend from the central and lower Four Corners Region eastward through Texas, the Red River (South) Valley, and the western Lower Mississippi Valley. At least marginally enhanced chances for surplus precipitation also cover all of Alaska and Hawaii. Only west-central and northern California and southwestern Oregon have nominally increased chances of subnormal precipitation. Meanwhile, above-normal temperatures are favored across much of the Pacific Northwest and over a large area including the Southeast, central and southern Appalachians, southern Great Lakes Region, Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley, central and southern Great Plains, and southern High Plains. Warmer than normal conditions are also favored across Hawaii and the central and eastern sections of Alaska. Increased odds of below-normal temperatures are limited to the Northeast and New England.

Farmer Sentiment Rises Again in August as Future Expectations Improve

2026-10-06T07:44:45.219-07:00

Farmer sentiment improved for the second month in a row, with the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index increasing from 126 points in July to 135 points in August (see Figure 1). Both subindices also increased; however, the Index of Current Conditions rose by only 1 point, while the Index of Future Expectations increased by 11 points (see Figure 2). For the first time since June 2025, a higher proportion of respondents expect their operation to be better off financially (28%) than worse off (24%) a year from now. Optimism regarding export prospects over the next five years also improved this month, reaching an index value of 140, the highest since last December. Higher input costs, chosen by 45% of respondents, remained the biggest concern. The August barometer survey was conducted among 402 farmers across the country from August 10 to 14, 2026.

The Farm Financial Performance Index increased from 90 at the start of the year to 103 in August, reflecting greater optimism among respondents about their financial prospects over the next 12 months. Despite this increase, the Farm Capital Investment Index dropped 5 points to 45.

This month’s survey included three questions about operator skills. The first question had respondents indicate the skill that generated the most return on investment on their farm. Production skills were selected by 29%, followed by financial management and analysis at 23%, strategic planning at 22%, selling products at 14%, and buying inputs at 11%.

The second question asked respondents which skill their farm needed the most improvement in. Strategic planning was selected by 28% of respondents, followed by selling products at 20%, buying inputs at 19%, financial management and analysis at 17%, and production at 16%. The third question asked respondents to indicate which skills they believed had the most potential for improvement using artificial intelligence. The top three choices, in order, were strategic planning (32%), financial management and analysis (28%), and production (18%).

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index increased by 8 points to 127 in August. Alternative investments, interest rates, and inflation were cited as the three factors with the greatest influence on farmland values. Periodically, the survey includes a question asking respondents to rate farmland as an investment. In August, 65% of respondents indicated that farmland was a good investment, 17% indicated that farmland was a medium investment, and 18% indicated that farmland was a poor investment.

Since July 2025, producers have been asked whether they think the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” After averaging 71% during the last six months of 2025 and 62% in the first quarter of 2026, the percentage of producers who said the U.S. was headed in the “right direction” has ranged from 51% to 57% since April, with 51% of respondents saying that the U.S. was heading in the right direction in August.

Wrapping Up

Farmer sentiment increased again in August, with the largest improvement coming from the future expectations. The Index of Current Conditions increased by 1 point, while the Index of Future Expectations increased by 11 points. Respondents were more optimistic about their financial prospects and land values in the upcoming year and exports in the next five years, but were less confident about making new investments in machinery and buildings.

Despite the improvement in producer sentiment, important concerns remain. High input costs continue to be the biggest concern, followed by low crop and livestock prices and rising interest rates. Respondents were asked questions related to their farm’s key skills. Strategic planning was most frequently identified as the skill needing improvement. Interestingly, respondents also indicated strategic planning as the most likely skill that could be improved through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 23% Harvested, Soybeans 25% Harvested as of Oct. 4

2026-10-06T06:50:27.338-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- The nation's corn and soybean harvests are both running behind the five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

Sunshine, dry days and warm weather across much of the Plains, Midwest and Southeast should help dry soils and crops this week, though more rain and colder air could arrive next week, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn mature was pegged at 83%, consistent with the five-year average.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 23% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Oct. 4, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 27%. DTN Lead Analyst Rhett Montgomery said a historically wet second half of September across the Midwest was evident in this week's numbers, with Iowa and Nebraska both well behind their normal early-October pace.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 54% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, 3 percentage points lower than the previous week's 57%. Eighteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, 1 percentage point above the previous week's 17%. Montgomery noted that Iowa and Nebraska also saw notable declines in corn crop ratings.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 85%, 2 percentage points behind the five-year average of 87%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 25% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 8 percentage points behind the five-year average of 33%. Montgomery said soybean harvest progress was slow across the U.S. after a very wet past week, with Iowa only 5% harvested compared to 38% for the five-year average, and Nebraska showing a similar delay.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, 1 percentage point lower than the previous week's 58%. Montgomery also noted that conditions in both states declined due to excess moisture.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 36% complete nationally, 10 percentage points behind the five-year average of 46%. Montgomery said rainfall across the Southern Plains slowed winter wheat planting during the past week, with top-producing Kansas only 24% planted compared with a five-year average of 40%.

-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 16%, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average 20%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

A stretch of dry, warm weather this week should give producers an opportunity to get into fields, but a potential tropical storm and another system could bring heavy rain next week, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"After an extremely wet couple of weeks that kept a lot of producers out of their fields, we've got a much better window of weather this week," Baranick said. "The question is, will it be enough to have most of the fields dry out? Or is it going to take more than a week? We'll have a lot of sunshine, dry days, and warm weather in much of the Plains, Midwest, and Southeast that should help dry soils and crops out, but there are some things lurking for next week. We are likely to see a tropical storm develop in the Gulf this week. The current forecast is to bring that through southeastern areas of the country this weekend and into next week, which could cause some flooding if it does. And a system will be moving into the Northern Plains this weekend. The forecast is all over the place on how that system will move and develop going into next week, which is hard to speculate on what may occur, but we could see some more areas of heavy rain as the system moves through next week and a round of colder air. So, producers may decide to push it this week if they feel that next week could give them some issues.

"Otherwise, soils are generally wet across much of the winter wheat growing areas that should help for more planting and good establishment. However, drought still exists in a lot of these same areas, even after the good rains of the last couple of weeks. So, this week of dryness isn't exactly what producers want to see. They are going to need more rainfall before we get into winter."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn mature	83	72	NA	83
Corn harvested	23	18	NA	27
Soybeans dropping leaves	85	75	NA	87
Soybeans harvested	25	17	NA	33
Winter wheat planted	36	27	NA	46
Winter wheat emerged	16	8	NA	20
Cotton bolls opening	74	70	NA	76
Cotton harvested	23	17	NA	21
Sorghum coloring	96	93	NA	98
Sorghum mature	72	67	NA	75
Sorghum harvested	32	29	NA	38
Rice harvested	86	80	NA	79
Sugarbeets harvested	19	16	NA	22
Sunflowers harvested	6	2	NA	5
Peanuts harvested	22	12	NA	23

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	6	12	28	42	12
Prev Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	10	29	46	11
Prev Week	4	9	29	47	11
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Peanuts
This Week	1	9	33	50	7
Prev Week	2	8	32	51	7
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	12	25	30	27	6
Prev Week	12	23	30	29	6
Prev Year	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (10/6)

2026-10-06T06:46:55.310-07:00

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (10/5)

2026-10-05T06:46:27.499-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 8 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	3708567 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

October Washington D.C. Preview

2026-10-01T09:18:42.680-07:00

Lawmakers have left Washington to campaign back home, leaving an unfinished legislative agenda. The midterms will shape what Congress can accomplish in the lame-duck session, including whether lawmakers can reach deals on taxes, defense spending and other priorities. POLITICO’s policy and politics teams are tracking the campaigns and what the results could mean for Washington’s agenda.

— Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling for billions more to revamp the nation’s air traffic control system, after Congress approved $12.5 billion for the effort last year.

— The midterm results could determine whether Congress takes up President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget in the lame duck.

— White House officials are hoping to announce a trade deal with Mexico before Election Day.

Agriculture

— Midterms looming: The results of November’s midterms will have sweeping impacts on Congress’ committee leadership and the odds of passage for any agriculture policy. Democrats are already eyeing oversight of the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to USDA staff and farmer-facing programs.

— Committee shake-up: Lawmakers are already angling to replace three of four leaders on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the ranking member of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, is running for Minnesota governor and expected to clear the way for Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to take over her post. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) could also take over for Klobuchar if he wins in November because he would retain his committee seniority.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) will leave the House after an unsuccessful bid for Minnesota’s open Senate seat. Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) has launched a run for the job, but Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is also eyeing a challenge.

House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) wants a waiver from GOP leaders to stay atop the panel, as he’s set to hit the caucus-imposed time limit on committee leadership. It’s not yet clear if leaders will grant his wish, and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) is already in talks to succeed Thompson.

— Farm bill: The Senate Agriculture Committee — on its second try — advanced a GOP-led farm bill in September.

The lingering question is whether Senate Republicans will be able to hold a vote on the bill on the chamber floor after the election. They’ll need support from several Senate Democrats to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Senate Democrats remain united behind a demand to give states two years before the implementation of a new requirement that will force states to pay for part of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The Senate Republican farm bill would delay the implementation by one year.

— Farm aid: The Senate might advance reconciliation plans that include $12 billion in farm aid after the election.

If the Senate acts quickly in December to pass House-approved legislation that includes the aid, money would start going to farmers in early spring. Some agriculture industry groups argue that timing would be too late to avoid another year of increased farm bankruptcies and closures. — Grace Yarrow

Trade

— Trump turns to Mexico for trade win: With President Trump’s trade war with Canada at a stalemate and his trade détente with China extended until January, administration officials are now turning their attention to talks with Mexico, where they are hoping for a pre-midterm win.

The U.S. has made clear to Mexican officials that it wants to announce an early harvest deal before Election Day, according to a Mexican industry figure briefed on the negotiations. The person, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss them.

The two sides have been talking as part of the six-year review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers in July that he was aiming to secure an interim deal before the end of the year.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that the talks have been progressing and that she spoke with Trump directly by phone to move a deal along.

The next round of bilateral negotiations, the fourth between the two countries, was supposed to begin this week but has been postponed amid a busy late September for U.S. trade policymaking. Mexican officials are hoping it will be the last and that a deal will be ready to announce in the coming weeks, the person added.

But some sticking points remain, particularly around agriculture, according to three people familiar with the talks.

U.S. lawmakers have pushed the Trump administration to address seasonal imports of fruits and vegetables that compete with U.S. growers during their harvest periods. But the U.S. and Mexico have not agreed on a path forward for addressing their concerns, the people said. — Oliver Ward

Financial Services

—  Fed-Rates: The Federal Reserve's interest rate-setting committee will meet Oct. 27-28 to decide whether to raise borrowing costs again, after moving last month to tame inflation. Investors expect the central bank to hike rates, but the meeting is fraught with political tension because it will take place just days before the midterm elections.

— Global finance meeting: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he plans to attend the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok this month, where finance chiefs from around the world will gather to discuss economic growth. Bessent is pushing to remake both institutions around the Trump administration's priorities, calling on them to abandon what he calls "mission creep." Among other things, he has pressed the World Bank to scrap its climate targets and curtail lending to China.

— HUD-Environment: The Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to publish an interim final rule intended to “update and streamline” environmental requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act — a target for congressional efforts to cut red tape in homebuilding. The department is also slated to release a proposal to ease regulations in the Community Development Block Grant Program, which helps states and localities pay for rehabilitating housing and infrastructure.

— Financial regulation: It’s set to be a busy autumn for regulators. As the torch of crypto regulation has passed from Congress to the SEC and CFTC, we are awaiting a blitz of new guidance and rules from the two agencies on how crypto can be traded and used. On the bank side, regulators are still working on several rules, including a long-awaited liquidity proposal and finalizing capital rules, which should land in mid-December. — Victoria Guida, Michael Stratford, Cassandra Dumay

Tax

— Paving the way for a year-end deal? It was no sure thing that House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) would be able to get a crypto tax bill through his committee in September — but he pulled it off, and with a big bipartisan vote to boot.

The Ways and Means Committee’s crypto markup was the last big step that lawmakers took on tax legislation before ditching Washington to campaign back home.

Now, the big question in tax world is whether Congress will be able to pass one last bill before the year ends.

That’s far from a sure thing, too. Everyone acknowledges that the November midterm results will influence how willing lawmakers are to cut a year-end tax deal.

But plenty of proposals with bipartisan support that could be cobbled together for a lame-duck package, including tax administration legislation, a tax framework for digital assets and reviving a hodgepodge of already-expired incentives.

Democrats could be reticent to work too closely with Republicans after the election, given their tensions with the Trump administration — particularly if they have a successful Election Night.

For instance, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the tax-writing Finance Committee, said in late September that one potential roadblock for a crypto tax bill is that President Trump and his family have profited so much from virtual currency ventures. Trump himself reported earning more than $1 billion from cryptocurrency projects in his first year back in office.

— Staffing up: The Senate Finance Committee cleared a couple of tax-related nominees in September, potentially setting them up for confirmation after the election.

Neither nominees, however, received any support from Democrats.

James Gadwood, Trump’s pick to be IRS chief counsel, comes from Miller & Chevalier, a law firm with deep ties to the president. The IRS chief counsel during Trump’s first term, Michael Desmond, chairs the firm’s tax practice. Miller & Chevalier also recently hired one of the president’s longtime personal tax attorneys, Sheri Dillon.

Gadwood himself also declined to tell the Finance Committee whether one of Trump’s companies had ever been a personal client.

Trump also chose Andrew De Mello, a former acting IRS chief counsel, to fill the remaining vacancy on the Tax Court. De Mello served as acting chief counsel last year, as the IRS and immigration authorities were trying to strike an agreement to share confidential taxpayer data. — Bernie Becker

Education

— Federal student aid updates: The first group of borrowers in a Biden-era repayment plan that has been sunset has reached a key deadline to switch repayment plans.

The Education Department has been telling borrowers for months that they need to switch since the plan, known as SAVE, was overturned by the courts after a coalition of Republican attorneys general sued Biden’s Education Department over it.

Loan servicers have been notifying borrowers in waves since July 1. Borrowers have 90 days to switch plans. The first batch of borrowers reached the deadline to switch Sept. 29.

Student loan servicers are contacting at least 250,000 borrowers every two weeks. Each groups will get 90 days to switch.

Roughly 7 million people are enrolled in the SAVE plan. Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent said this summer at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators conference that borrowers are being notified in waves to avoid overwhelming the system.

If borrowers don’t act before their 90-day window is up, they will be moved into the standard repayment plan, which would likely require them to make a much higher monthly payment.

But the department is trying to encourage repayment by extending the window for student loan borrowers to enroll in autopay and receive a discount on their interest rate by another three months.

The department announced over the summer it would cut borrowers’ interest rate by 1%— an increase from the usual 0.25% discount. The interest rate reduction will last for roughly two years, ending June 30, 2028.

Initially, borrowers had until the end of September to take advantage of this benefit. The department is now giving them until the end of the calendar year to enroll.

So far, nearly 2 million have enrolled in autopay, according to the agency. — Rebecca Carabello

Defense

— The $1.5T question: Lawmakers left Washington for the campaign trail no closer to enacting Trump's record-shattering $1.5 trillion defense budget. Now the fate of a major military spending is in voters’ hands.

Senior Pentagon officials were still making the case to senators last week for the roughly 50 percent hike in defense spending. But few concrete steps have been taken toward that higher budget topline. Annual appropriations bills have stalled, and efforts to enact GOP-only reconciliation bills that would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for the Pentagon haven't materialized. The Senate also has declined to address a House-approved framework to finance the Iran war, punting major spending decisions to the lame duck session.

Already a heavy political lift under narrow GOP majorities, a Democratic sweep in the midterm elections would doom hopes for a major defense spending boost. Top Democrats have said they won't support further defense hikes without increases to domestic programs.

The lame-duck session could bring action on defense spending if Republicans look to lock in more funding while they still control the White House and both chambers of Congress. — Connor O’Brien

Health Care

— 'No Surprises' rewrite: Lawmakers in both the House and Senate are considering revisions to a 2020 law, the No Surprises Act, which shields patients from unexpected medical bills.

Those bills were a problem when patients seeking emergency care were treated by physicians outside their insurance networks. Congress set up a system in which doctors and insurance companies ask an independent arbitrator to decide how much doctors are owed.

The system triggered a surge of disputes lawmakers didn’t anticipate. A recent Georgetown University report found doctors — some backed by private equity firms and contractors hired to make the claims — initiated 2.6 million disputes last year, far above the 22,000 annual claims Congress expected. Arbitration costs surpassed $16 billion last year, more than triple the spending in 2024.

In some cases, doctors have won judgments far above the typical costs for their services. In others, insurers have refused to pay arbitration judgments.

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Bill Cassidy, author of the 2020 law, is seeking input from Senate colleagues and stakeholders about how to fix it. The House Ways and Means Committee is also examining it.

Lawmakers are still far from rewriting the law, but a variety of ideas are under discussion, including setting benchmark rates for medical services to avoid outsized payment judgments and removing non-emergency services from the dispute process.

Doctor groups want any deal to include penalties for insurers who don’t pay up.

— Remote monitoring rule opposition: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has joined Democrats in asking Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz to nix a proposal to curtail reimbursement for remote patient monitoring, in which digital devices like blood pressure cuffs monitor patients at home and alert a doctor when something goes wrong.

The proposal could force some doctors and hospitals to shutter their monitoring programs and prevent them from expanding into rural areas, she says.

“Remote monitoring services are especially important in rural communities, where patients often face long travel distances, transportation barriers, clinician shortages, hospital closures, and limited access to timely follow-up care,” Blackburn wrote in a Sept. 23 letter to Oz co-signed by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.).

The CMS proposal, part of a larger proposed payment rule released in July, would not reimburse doctors and hospitals for using remote-patient monitoring vendors’ clinical staff to monitor patients and alert providers of problems. Providers would have to use their own staff, which provider groups worry would cost more money, create staffing issues and ultimately result in remote monitoring programs being shuttered.

The proposed rule stems from findings of the Health and Human Services Department inspector general, who warned in 2023 that unscrupulous companies were signing seniors up for remote monitoring who didn’t need it, and a 2024 IG report that found Medicare spending on monitoring had increased 20-fold between 2019 and 2022.

The proposed rule would require patients to visit a doctor’s office before receiving remote patient monitoring. Currently, a patient must have a preexisting relationship with a provider for one year before getting the service, but need not visit the doctor in person. — Health Care Pro Team

Transportation

— Renewed push for air traffic control dollars: After months of relative quiet, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is doubling down on his call for billions more in funding for his department’s ambitious effort to revamp the infrastructure and technology underpinning the nation’s air traffic control system. He’s upped his total ask to $30 billion, which is on top of the $12.5 billion that Republicans pushed through Congress via the party-line budget reconciliation process in summer 2025. He’s also gotten some congressional backing recently in the form of a bill from Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) that would fund the effort. But finding a viable vehicle to secure these additional dollars is easier said than done, especially as a lame duck session looms and Capitol Hill braces for potentially big shifts in power next year.

— The surface waiting game: Reauthorizing expiring highway and transit programs is low on Congress’ to-do list heading into the election, increasing the likelihood that lawmakers will need to extend those authorities for a second time this year. The current deadline of Dec. 11 gives Capitol Hill little room to maneuver: The Senate has yet to release any text or hold markups, the House Ways and Means Committee’s plans remain unclear and floor time will be at a premium after the midterms. Some factors could spur action, such as President Trump taking an interest in the bill. The few weeks that lawmakers are in town in November will be crucial.

— Committees’ scramble: Focus is shifting to what Congress will look like in 2027. On the House side, the Transportation Committee faces major turnover, and the race for the gavel appears to be down to Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the current ranking member, and Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), who currently chairs the highways and transit subcommittee. In the Senate, if Republicans retain the majority, there isn’t much of a shake-up anticipated on panels that oversee such topics, though who will be the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee is worth watching. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the current ranking member, is planning a bid to become the Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat. — Sam Ogozalek

Technology

— White House AI policy in limbo: Watch for President Trump’s response to an industry-wide call to slow down AI development following concerns that Silicon Valley is unable to mitigate the technology’s risks. Trump has met with tech executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Anthropic chief Dario Amodei, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, but it remains uncertain whether these exchanges have led the president to in any way alter his light-touch regulatory approach to the technology.

The discussions followed new disclosures about AI agents acting against government systems. OpenAI models attempted to access the websites of the Commerce Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, while an OpenAI agent earlier this summer breached an Australian national health database.

Fears of such incidents led the United Nations to host a Security Council meeting on AI security risks, where OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Dario Amodei both addressed the risks and called for global cooperation on AI safety. A recent summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping also failed to lead to concrete policies on AI development.

— Midterm tech messaging: With Democrats increasingly likely to take control of the House, and possibly the Senate, they must decide how to wield their newfound gavels to shape tech policy.

But Democrats are increasingly splintered. They broadly agree on the need for more government oversight, but they are not aligned on exactly how to do so.

The campaign trail may provide some clarity as candidates test out different messages with voters.

Those on the party’s left flank have railed against the potential job loss that could result from AI adoption, tech CEOs’ accumulation of wealth and data centers. Centrists, meanwhile, have favored regulation they say will put adequate safeguards on emerging technology without stifling innovation.

— Data center wars: These hulking AI structures have taken center stage in the 2026 midterms cycle, dominating races in places such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio. And Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois as well as incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) are feeling particularly squeezed by the messy politics surrounding data centers heading into October.

— All eyes on Ohio: A deluge of political attack ads against Husted for his past support of these AI hubs — and the tough-on-data centers message his Democratic opponent former Sen. Sherrod Brown has embraced — has Husted searching for a life preserver in a deadlocked race that could determine which party controls the Senate. Brown, meanwhile, is facing blow back from his labor allies who view these facilities as job creators.

— The long game? Pritzker, meanwhile, is walking a tight rope, faced with the choice of selling business leaders on his ability to keep Illinois on an economic glidepath pegged to advanced manufacturing and corporate expansion, and embracing public opinion that has turned against these AI outposts. Pritzker has not ruled out a 2028 presidential run, so how his data center messaging strategy fares in November would almost certainly help sharpen his and other contenders' AI playbooks.

— Disney's day in court: The Federal Communications Commission and Disney will face off Oct. 6 in a sweeping court fight that could shape Chair Brendan Carr’s legacy.

ABC sued the FCC in August to challenge Carr’s early review of its eight TV station licenses, calling it a "retaliatory campaign” for its coverage of the administration. The network has pointed to President Trump’s many attacks on the media, including his calls to revoke licenses from broadcasters including ABC. The FCC, which initiated the accelerated review of these licenses in April over concerns with Disney’s diversity hiring practices, has dismissed the First Amendment arguments and argued it’s holding broadcasters to the public interest obligations of its licenses.

The hearing comes as the FCC weighs escalating its fight with Disney across multiple proceedings, including possibly referring the ABC license review to an administrative hearing and exposing daytime show “The View” to equal airtime requirements for political candidates. — John Hewitt Jones, Owen Dahlkamp, John Hendel, Gabby Miller

Cybersecurity

— Keeping it secure: The midterm elections are almost here, and they will dominate the Beltway cyber policy landscape in the coming weeks.

For starters, Congress will be out of town all month for the final campaign sprint, so don’t expect much federal legislative activity until the lame duck session. Federal, state and local officials will also spend the month preparing to ensure the critical midterm vote isn’t hampered by rising physical or digital threats, such as potential AI-fueled cyberattacks aimed at vulnerabilities in election machines.

And unlike in past years, states are largely on their own to ensure election infrastructure is secure. CISA finally released a national election security plan last month, though it largely restates the responsibilities the cyber agency has undertaken for years to ensure U.S. elections run smoothly and without interference.

— Eye on the NSPM: A critical deadline also comes due this month for the White House's bold new plan to create a pathway for private companies to launch cyberattacks against foreign cybercrime gangs.

The presidential policy memorandum announcing the watershed policy shift gave the Justice and Homeland Security Departments until mid-October to write a detailed blueprint describing how private sector firms would work with the government to design, execute and run offensive cyber operations against foreign cyber criminals.

The details of that document could determine whether the initiative succeeds or leaves the private sector worried the White House has not thought deeply enough about the legal, economic and political risks of having private firms assist in digital combat.

— New strategy: The Pentagon is also due to release two highly anticipated cyber policy documents.

The first is the DOD’s new cybersecurity strategy, which is expected to chart a more aggressive course for the military’s cyber response and include instructions for better tapping the resources and skills of private sector contractors, as POLITICO first reported.

The Pentagon is also nearing a deadline to brief Congress about any changes to a nearly four-year-old autonomous weapons policy. The current version of the policy was drafted before the technology advanced enough to become a bona fide cyber threat. And as POLITICO’s cyber team has noted, the original policy included a carve-out exempting autonomous cyber weapons from strict human oversight — a measure that may be reconsidered following a string of incidents involving rogue AI agents. — John Sakellariadis and Maggie Miller

Energy

— Climate at the court: The Supreme Court will open its new term on Oct. 5 with arguments in the long-simmering climate lawsuits brought against oil and gas companies by a number of states, cities, counties and tribes. Suncor v. Boulder asks whether claims made under state tort laws — such as public nuisance, product liability and failure to warn — are preempted by the federal Clean Air Act. A win for oil companies could shut down more than two dozen lawsuits across the country.

Justice Samuel Alito, a conservative member of the court who has previously ruled in unrelated cases for federal preemption of state laws, recused himself from the case just one week before arguments. The move followed pressure from environmentalists, who argued he had a financial conflict because of his holdings in major oil and gas companies, though not the specific defendants in the Suncor case.

It is also possible the court could sidestep the issue on jurisdictional grounds. If it does, oil companies would have to make it through an actual liability trial before appealing. — Alex Guillen

This Week's Drought Summary (10/1)

2026-10-01T06:53:57.291-07:00

This week featured a dynamic and changeable drought environment across the country, partially thanks to the rapidly intensifying El Niño resulting in much above-average temperatures in the eastern Pacific waters. These warm ocean temperatures have been fueling numerous hurricanes in the East Pacific; three of which indirectly impacted the Unites States. Hurricane Nolo affected parts of the Hawaiian Islands with heavy rains, although mainly impinged on the east-facing slopes that are not in any drought or unusually dry conditions. Meanwhile, moisture from Hurricanes Odalys and Polo both contributed to a near-record moist environment over the normally dry Desert Southwest. Very heavy rains fell on much of New Mexico, and parts of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado both early in the period and again on Monday and Tuesday when Hurricane Polo curved northeast into the Baja of California and tracked into southern New Mexico. Weekly rainfall totals were very impressive across the Southwest, with totals reaching 5-10 inches, accounting for a large portion of the annual rainfall in some places. The heaviest rains fell across eastern New Mexico into northwestern Texas, helping to alleviate drought conditions. Beneficial rains also extended into southern and eastern Colorado into western Kansas and Nebraska, leading to drought relaxation. Coastal New England and the Mid-Atlantic states experienced a substantial Nor’easter that produced heavy rain, gusty winds, and storm-surge flooding from Delaware and New Jersey up to New York’s Long Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

The south-central and southeast states were not so fortunate this past week, however. Continued unseasonably hot dry conditions prevailed across the rest of Texas and Oklahoma eastward into the Tennessee River Valley, leading to worsening drought conditions in many states. The combination of persistently hot weather with virtually no rainfall during much of August and September has led to rapid onset drought in much of Texas and Oklahoma, resulting in widespread severe, extreme, and exceptional drought coverage, which again intensified this past week. Intensifying dryness and drought also prevailed across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. And for those residing up north, the upper peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin continues to suffer with worsening drought as precipitation was again meager there this past week. Outside of the Southwestern states, the remainder of the western U.S. had fairly steady-state drought conditions this past week, with only a few improvements occurring in the northern Rockies and in Oregon.

Northeast

The northeastern states experienced seasonable temperatures within a few degrees of normal for this time of year. The main noteworthy weather feature was the Nor’easter that produced beneficial rainfall up to several inches along the New England coast, southward into New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Drought improved in these areas but concerns over slowly-recovering groundwater and well levels prompted a retention of abnormal dryness and/or moderate drought levels in most coastal locations that have experienced long-term drought this past year. Drought persists in most of Maine, as very little rain from the Nor’easter reached the drought-stricken state.

Southeast

The Southeastern states were a mixed bag, with Virginia and North Carolina experiencing several inches of beneficial rainfall earlier in the week, leading to drought improvement, especially in the western parts of these states. Some abnormal dryness and moderate drought set in over far southeastern Virginia and the northeast coast of North Carolina. Florida was also a mixed bag, experiencing some improvements around Miami metro where 1-4 inches of rain fell this past week. But as is typically the case for Florida summers, rainfall was spotty so some areas had slight degradations in drought conditions, which has been persistently stubborn across Florida this summer. Alabama and Georgia were mostly dry, and despite the return to near-seasonably normal temperatures, both states had worsening drought with the addition of severe and extreme drought categories this week, largely contributed by the extraordinary September heat wave.

South

The southern states have taken the brunt of recent drought intensification since August, which continued this past week across most of Oklahoma and Texas. Worsening drought also occurred across most of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Virtually no rain fell this past week in this region except for far western Texas, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and eastern Tennessee. Combined with temperatures of 6-12 degrees above average, the lack of rainfall contributed to the rapid intensifying drought. Most of central and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are under severe, extreme, or exceptional drought classifications. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee are quickly degrading as well into severe to extreme drought conditions due to the September heat wave and continued lack of rainfall. Much of Texas and Oklahoma need to receive 20 to 25 inches of rainfall over a 3-month span to break out of the present drought. The lone exceptions to the drought worsening were in far western Texas and the western Oklahoma Panhandle, where several inches of rain fell as eastern Pacific tropical moisture associated with Hurricanes Odalys and Polo moved across the region. Far eastern Tennessee experienced temperatures around 3 degrees below normal along with the plentiful rainfall resulting in no drought conditions.

Midwest

The Midwestern states covered a broad range of conditions ranging from extreme to exceptional drought in northern Wisconsin, to excessive wetness from prolific rainfall all summer from Iowa to Ohio, where very little drought or abnormal dryness is present this week. This persistent storm track has separated the southern drought from the northern drought. This past week, the long-term drought in Minnesota experienced some relief as up to 5 inches or more of rain fell over an area of severe to extreme drought near the North Dakota border, leading to relief there. Northwestern Minnesota completely relaxed out of drought this week as more beneficial rain fell there. Extreme to exceptional drought persisted in northern Wisconsin where little rain fell this past week. The drought also spread this past week into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with an unusual lack of rainfall in late September intensified drought to between moderate and extreme levels. Nearly 15 inches of rain needs to fall in a 3-month span to fully recover from the present drought in northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Drought also continued to intensify this week across southern Missouri.

High Plains

The High Plains states experienced almost exclusively drought improvements this week, as many areas experienced beneficial rainfall, with Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska being beneficiaries of the east-Pacific “El Niño” tropical connection. Despite temperatures being up to 6 or more degrees above average, the plentiful rainfall has contributed to drought improvement in many areas this week. Northern and eastern North Dakota also experienced substantial reduction in drought coverage and intensity as heavy rain fell near the Canadian border.

West

Outside of Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, which experienced deep and substantial drought-busting rainfall this past week, the western states generally had unchanging drought conditions. The Pacific Northwestern states of Washington and Oregon began experiencing the first of its fall rainy systems, helping to ease drought pressure across western Oregon, where drought was downgraded in a couple spots. Drought and dryness also improved in southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming this past week.

Caribbean

While some drought impacts remain over Puerto Rico, the commonwealth has received significant rainfall in areas over the last 30 days. This has allowed some of the water reservoirs to be replenished. In the same timeframe, rainfall deficits have eased or even switched to a surplus. Improvements to the Puerto Rico drought can be found this week in both the southwest and eastern parts of the island.

The U.S. Virgin Islands received scant precipitation over the past week as St. Thomas remained in exceptional drought, while St. John and St. Croix were in extreme drought. Citizen weather observers (CoCoRaHS) on St. Thomas reported 0.1 inches or less for the week. St. Thomas received from 0.24 to 0.57 inches. Rainfall on St. Croix was abysmally low at 0.12 inches or less.

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values were consistent with the drought status of each island for the most part. The SPIs for St. Croix are entering the D4 range, with values for the 1-, 9-, and 12-month SPIs indicating less intense drought, so St. Croix was kept at D3 this week. Exceptional drought may be on the horizon for St. Croix.

The Vegetation Health Index indicates some significant stress for all islands. Water levels in wells on all three islands are dropping as the intense dryness continues.

Drought and heat are causing increased mortality for livestock, poultry and wildlife. There are also issues with water production from desalination and with water distribution.

Pacific

The interior Tanana Valley of east-central Alaska has been abnormally dry over the past several months, leading to the issuance of a moderate drought category there. In the Southeastern Alaskan Panhandle, the normal wet season for this time of year has begun, but given the prevailing wet climate regime, much more precipitation needs to fall to completely erase the prolonged dryness and moderate drought of this summer.

Hawaii was impacted by yet another Hurricane (Nolo) this past week, bringing prolific rainfall particularly to the Big Island. However, since most of the heavy rain fell on the favorable east-facing windward side of the Big Island, the abnormal dryness was allowed to remain in this week’s drought map along the rain shadow of the west coast.

Tropical Depression 26W was east of the Mariana Islands and moving westward. To the south, a monsoon surge was developing across central Federated States of Micronesia and southeast of Guam.

The Republic of Palau was at D1 and received 1.46 inches of precipitation at Palau IAP. No precipitation was reported for Koror. Month-to-date precipitation for Palau IAP on the last day of September was 4.18 inches, less than a third of normal precipitation for the month. These islands need 2 inches of rain per week to meet minimum water needs.

The Mariana Islands received more than an inch for the week, except for one Saipan location. One inch is the weekly amount these islands need to meet minimum water needs. Guam reported 1.52 inches, Rota got 1.76 inches, and Saipan IAP collected 2.31 inches.

The Federated States of Micronesia were mixed for the week. Kapingamarangi remains at D1 and received a mere 0.02 inches of rain. Precipitation was also low for Kosrae, Lukunor and Nukuoro. Chuuk, Pohnpei, Ulithi, Woleai and Yap all received more than 3 inches.

Some of the Marshall Islands received ample precipitation, while other islands did not. Utirik reportedly received 3.22 inches of precipitation, so the D0 label was removed. Locations with less than 2 inches of rain included Majuro with 1.5 inches and Mili with 0.58 inches. Ailinglaplap, Jaluit, Kwajalein and Wotje all collected more than 2 inches of rain, which is the amount to cover minimum water needs.

American Samoa remained at D0 as rainfall had been below normal, but precipitation has improved in recent weeks. Pago Pago received 0.94 inches of rain, while Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge received 4.48 and 2.22 inches, respectively. These islands require 2 inches of rain per week to meet minimum water needs.

Looking Ahead

Ongoing substantial rain was falling Tuesday morning at the onset of the new U.S. Drought Monitor week, from Arizona and New Mexico into the Central and High Plains. This excessive rainy system connected to Hurricane Polo is projected to continue eastward this week into the High Plains, Midwest, and South regions. The Weather Prediction Center has moderate threats for excessive rainfall from the Southwest into Texas, Oklahoma, northward into Nebraska and Iowa. Drought-busting rains may be possible across the South as this weather system evolves this week. Looking into the next week, the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook indicates that well-above average temperatures will shift into the western states, along with below normal precipitation chances. Meanwhile, above average precipitation chances are projected from southern Texas into the southeastern states, including Florida. Above average precipitation chances are also projected for southeastern Alaska, with near neutral rainfall forecasts for Hawaii.

August Ag Prices Received Index Up 1.9 Percent; Prices Paid Index Down 1.2 Percent

2026-09-30T13:34:24.896-07:00

August Prices Received Index Up 1.9 Percent

The August Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 135.5, increased 1.9 percent from July but decreased 2.0 percent from August 2025. At 113.2, the Crop Production Index was up 5.8 percent from last month and 6.2 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 153.7, decreased 2.2 percent from July and 8.5 percent from August last year. Producers received higher prices during August for strawberries, corn, soybeans, and lettuce but lower prices for cattle, grapes, milk, and calves. In addition to prices, the volume change of commodities marketed also influences the indexes. In August, there was increased monthly movement for cattle, grapes, calves, and broilers and decreased marketing of wheat, corn, soybeans, and strawberries.

August Prices Paid Index Down 1.2 Percent

The August Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 159.8, is down 1.2 percent from July 2026 but up 5.3 percent from August 2025. Lower prices in August for feeder cattle, nitrogen, feeder pigs, and mixed fertilizer more than offset higher prices for diesel, hay and forages, other services, and complete feeds.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (9/29)

2026-09-29T07:04:06.279-07:00

USDA Crop Progress Report - Corn 18% Harvested, Soybeans 17% Harvested as of Sept. 27

2026-09-29T06:58:12.198-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- After running ahead of normal the past few weeks, U.S. corn and soybean harvest progress slowed last week, bringing both crops back in line with the five-year average pace, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

Disruptions to harvest activity and winter wheat seeding could continue this week, as heavy rainfall is forecast across the Central and Southern Plains. But the moisture could substantially improve drought conditions and bolster wheat prospects heading into fall, according to DTN forecasts.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn dented was estimated at 96%, 2 percentage points ahead of last year's 94% and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 95%. Corn mature was pegged at 72%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 69% and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 71%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 18% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Sept. 27, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 17% and now equal to the five-year average.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 9 percentage points below last year's 66%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, equal to the previous week and 7 percentage points above the previous year's 10%.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 75%, 1 percentage point behind last year's 76% and equal to the five-year average.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 17% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 1 point behind last year's pace of 18% and now equal to the five-year average.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 4 percentage points below the previous year's 62%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 27% complete nationally, 5 percentage points behind last year's 32% and 7 percentage points behind the five-year average of 34%.

-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 8%, 4 points behind last year's 12% and 3 points behind the five-year average 11%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

A slow-moving front and moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Polo are expected to produce another week of widespread rainfall across the central United States, extending a wet pattern that has complicated fieldwork but improved soil moisture in key wheat-growing areas, DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said.

"It's another wet week ahead for the middle of the country, the third in a row," Baranick said. "A front will be pushing across the country this week, but that's not the only issue. The remnants to Hurricane Polo will move across Mexico and into the Southern U.S. early this week. When combined with the front, it will make for widespread areas of 2-4 inches of rain for the Central and Southern Plains. Areas of more than 2 inches could also affect Iowa and Missouri as well. The rain won't be nearly as heavy in other parts of the country, but the front will be slower to move through the Southeast late this week and weekend, which could cause totals to rise there as well.

"While the heavy rain will disrupt harvest as well as winter wheat planting, it will help ease the ongoing drought in the Central and Southern Plains immensely, being a net positive for winter wheat in the long run. And after this system moves through, the pattern looks a lot quieter through early October, allowing some of these wetter areas to dry out with time."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn dented	96	92	94	95
Corn mature	72	58	69	71
Corn harvested	18	13	17	18
Soybeans dropping leaves	75	62	76	75
Soybeans harvested	17	12	18	17
Winter wheat planted	27	17	32	34
Winter wheat emerged	8	2	12	11
Cotton bolls opening	70	65	66	67
Cotton harvested	17	13	15	15
Sorghum coloring	93	88	92	94
Sorghum mature	67	56	60	63
Sorghum harvested	29	25	28	31
Barley harvested	98	94	98	96
Rice harvested	80	73	76	69

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Year	3	7	24	49	17
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	9	29	47	11
Prev Week	4	10	28	46	12
Prev Year	3	8	27	49	13
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Peanuts
This Week	2	8	32	51	7
Prev Week	1	8	31	53	7
Prev Year	2	11	32	47	8
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	12	23	30	29	6
Prev Week	10	25	31	28	6
Prev Year	5	12	36	37	10
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (9/28)

2026-09-28T09:13:52.435-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 9 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	3678911 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (9/24)

2026-09-24T06:12:02.422-07:00

The pattern of hot and dry in the south with heavy rainfall to the north of the high-pressure system continued over this past week. The highest precipitation amounts were from eastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota to the east through southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, to Ohio and West Virginia. Localized areas in this region received 6 to 8 inches of rainfall. Northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri received 3 to 5 inches, with western Nebraska to southeastern Montana picking up 2 to 3 inches. Monsoonal rain also fell in eastern Arizona to central New Mexico. Southern Florida also received several inches of rain over the week. Precipitation was very spotty and generally light, however, in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, southern Missouri, and western Tennessee and Kentucky. Most of the west coast states had little rain.

Most of the south was again 5 to 10F above normal last week, peaking at over 15F above normal in parts of southern Missouri. Several states are setting records for continued warmth during this late summer to early fall period. The rest of the continental U.S. had generally near-normal temperatures.

Northeast

The heaviest rainfall in this region fell in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Scattered lighter precipitation amounts over the past week were observed in the Northeast, leading to localized improvements to drought and abnormally dry conditions. An area of extreme drought is found along the Maine Coastline.

Southeast

Continued heat and generally dry conditions were observed in most of the Southeast. Degradations were made from southeast Virginia, to the eastern/central Carolinas, down to Georgia and Alabama. Meanwhile, most of Florida was wet, leading to improvements, especially over the southeast of the state. There were also small improvements in the Florida panhandle and in northern South Carolina from localized moderate rainfall. An area of exceptional drought continues in northern North Carolina, with patches of extreme drought from southern Virginia down to central Florida.

South

The continued heat and dry conditions resulted in large areas of degradations the past week. Extreme drought can be found in every state in this region, with exceptional drought over much of northern Texas, western to southern Oklahoma, and parts of Arkansas. Both short-term and long-term drought are contributing to the conditions in this region. Over the last year, west-central Oklahoma is the driest on record, while in southwest Oklahoma it has been the second driest.

Midwest

Southern Missouri was generally hot and dry this past week, with drought conditions deteriorating over much of the region. However, northern Missouri was wet leading to improvement in drought conditions. Southern Minnesota, eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and northern Minnesota received significant precipitation, with over 8 inches falling in northeast Grant County, Wisconsin. The dry categories were thus improved in these areas. Northern Wisconsin, on the other hand, was dry with localized deterioration and the introduction of a small area of exceptional drought.

High Plains

Most of the High Plains received beneficial rainfall, resulting in improvement to drought categories over parts of all states in the region. More precipitation will be needed, however, to ameliorate the continued extreme drought over much of Colorado and Wyoming as well as parts of Montana, North and South Dakota, and western Nebraska. Areas of exceptional drought are still shown in much of central Colorado and western Nebraska.

West

Eastern Arizona to central New Mexico experienced monsoonal storms causing localized flooding and some drought improvement. Southern California and southern Nevada continued to be dry, leading to degradation of dry categories. Central Utah, central Oregon, southern Idaho, and northern New Mexico continue to be the largest areas of extreme to exceptional drought in this region, with smaller areas of extreme drought in a few other states.

Caribbean

A strong tropical wave moved over Puerto Rico during the past week and provided much-needed rainfall. Most of the region had improved drought conditions, with improved vegetation and soil moisture. Streamflows are still lower than normal in some locations.

St. Croix experienced highly variable and rainfall this week. The NWS/NOAA station at East Hill recorded 0.61 inches. The CoCoRaHS network recorded 0.87 inch at Christiansted 1.6 E (VI-SC-10), 0.68 inch at Frederiksted 1.7 ESE (VI-SC-20), 0.67 inches at Christiansted 6.5 W (VI-SC-23), 0.82 inch at Christiansted 1.7 SW (VI-SC-30), 1.27 inches at Frederiksted 1.9 NE (VI-SC-34) and 1.07 inch at Frederiksted 1.3 ENE (VI-SC-35). The largest amount occurring in the Frederiksted area. The groundwater conditions remained very poor. At Adventure 28 Well, the water level on September 12 was 26.1 feet, compared with 18.31 feet on September 22, 2025, indicating the water level was about 7.8 feet lower than a year earlier. These conditions indicate continued short-term extreme drought (D3-S).

This week, St. John experienced sparce rainfall although available observations are limited. The Rafe Boulon (VI-SJ-3) station at Windswept Beach recorded 0.21 inches, while the CoCoRaHS station VI-SJ-5 at Cruz Bay 1.6 E recorded 0.32 inches and station VI-SJ-10 at Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW recorded 0.03 inches. None of the stations measured over 0.3 inches of rainfall. At Susannaberg DPW 3 well, the water level on September 22 was measured at 18.93 feet below the land surface, compared to 11.2 feet on September 22, 2025. This 7.7-foot difference indicates the groundwater level is substantially lower now than it was a year ago. Observations showed that the depth continued to drop from the previous week, as well as 1- to 12-month precipitation indicators showing growing precipitation deficits. A heavy rain event that brought 1.5 to 2 inches of rain to the island at the beginning of September keeps St. John in short-term extreme drought (D3-S) conditions, though conditions are moving towards exceptional drought (D4-S) if beneficial rain does not happen in the next week or two.

St. Thomas saw little meaningful rainfall this week. While Cyril E. King Airport recorded no rainfall, CoCoRaHS station VI-ST-5 at Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW measured 0.31 inches and station VI-ST-15 at Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N recorded 0.09 inches. This continues weeks of dry conditions. On September 22, Grade School 3 Well levels were at 8.97 feet, slightly down from 8.4 feet the previous week and 3.2 feet lower than this time last year on September 22, 2025 (5.75 feet). The combination of low well levels, several weeks with little to no rainfall and 1- to 9-month precipitation indicators showing large precipitation deficits remain and St. Thomas, conditions were degraded to short-term exceptional drought (D4-S).

Pacific

Moderate precipitation over parts of Alaska resulted in reduction of abnormally dry regions in the state.

Hawaii is slowly recovering from tropical systems that passed nearby, with another system potentially coming close to the islands over the coming week.

Conditions across the Marshal islands brought intermittent showers and heavy rainfall for the northern islands keeping conditions status quo. This week, Utirik and Wotje recorded 1.75 and 2.58 inches respectively, though Ulirik is still in a precipitation deficit and has only recorded a little over half (4.27 inches) the necessary 8 inches per month. Elsewhere, after heavy rains last week, Ailinglapalap and Jaluit did not record any rainfall (1 day missing) while Kwajalein, Mili and Majuro received 0.54, 0.52 and 0.86 inches respectively. While Utirik did receive 1.74 inches this week, it follows several weeks of below adequate precipitation demand leading to the introduction of short-term abnormal dryness (D0-S).

The Federation States of Micronesia experienced varied rainfall with islands receiving well over 2 inches or under 0.15 inches. This week heavier rains fell across Chuuk Lagoon (2.30 inches, 1 day missing), Nukuoro (4.37 inches, 1 day missing) and Pohnpei (13.81, 1 day missing). Kosrae (0.25 inches, 5 days missing), Lukunor (0.14 inches, 2 days missing) and Kapingamarangi (0.02 inches, 1 day missing). Kapingamarangi has been below the necessary 2 inches a week for six weeks and has a monthly rainfall total of 3.08 inches leading to the degradation into short-term moderate drought (D1-S). Further west, there has been a short-term shift in weather towards the end of the week with monsoon showers bringing some short-term relief for Woleai (3.91 inches, 3 days missing), Ulithi (2.91 inches, 3 days missing) and Yap (4.73 inches, 1 day missing) before the dry pattern expected to return soon. Fananu and Pingelap had no data.

American Samoa saw generally decent rainfall. This week, Pago Pago received 5.6 inches (1 day missing), Siufaga Ridge 1.51 inches and Toa Ridge 1.74 inches (1 day missing). This week’s rainfall combined with last week’s heavy rainfall led to condition improving to short-term abnormal dryness (D0-S).

Palau experienced another week of inadequate precipitation and remain in short-term moderate drought (D1-S). This week with both Koror recording 1.87 inches while data was missing for WSO Palau/Airai. Conditions this week remain status quo with short-term moderate drought (D1-S).

This week, the Mariana Islands received heavy rainfall. Synoptic conditions favored active convection and locally heavy showers. Guam received an average of 4.09 inches this week with Antonio B Won Pat International Airport recording 5.64 inches, Agat 4.47 inches recording inches and Dededo recording 2.18 inches (2 days missing). Saipan averaged over 3.8 inches this week with Saipan International Airport recording 3.92 inches and Capital Hill recording 4.33 inches this week. Rota received 3.14 inches this week with the September monthly total already surpassing the necessary 4 inches (7.67 inches). Tinian had no data.

Looking Ahead

The next five days are forecast to be wet along the northeastern coast from a nor’easter. The northwest is also predicted to receive needed precipitation. Remnants of a tropical system will provide significant moisture into the Four Corners states and the western Great Plains with heavy rainfall in the forecast. Parts of the northern Great Plains are also forecast to receive welcome precipitation. Areas with little rain in the forecast over the next five days are much of Texas and Louisiana, around the Great Lakes, and California and Nevada. The south and southwest should continue to have above normal temperatures, with cooler temperatures in the northeast and the northwest.

The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 29 to October 3) favors above normal temperatures over the southern half of the continental U.S. as well as the northeast. Hawaii is also likely to have above normal temperatures. The Great Basin area could have below normal rainfall, while above normal is possible over much of the central U.S. Both Hawaii and eastern Alaska are also favored to have above normal precipitation during this period.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (9/22)

2026-09-22T07:09:54.103-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 13% Harvested, Rated 57% Good to Excellent as of Sept. 21

2026-09-21T13:39:04.575-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- Despite heavy rain across much of the Corn Belt last week, the nation's corn and soybean harvests continued ahead of their average paces, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

The nation's weather pattern is expected to shift this week, bringing improved harvest conditions to parts of the Midwest while maintaining a steady stream of moisture across drought-affected areas of the Plains, according to DTN forecasts.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn dented was estimated at 92%, 2 percentage points ahead of last year's 90% and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 91%. Corn mature was pegged at 58%, 4 percentage points ahead of last year's 54% and 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 55%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 13% of corn has been harvested nationally, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 10% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 11%.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 9 percentage points below last year's 66%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, equal to the previous week and 7 percentage points above the previous year's 10%.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 62%, 4 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average pace of 58%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 12% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 8%

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 3 percentage points below the previous year's 61%.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest reached 96% complete as of Sunday. That was equal to both last year's pace and the five-year average.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 17% complete nationally, 2 percentage points behind last year's 19% and 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 21%.

-- Crop development: Winter wheat emergence was estimated at 2%, 2 points behind both last year's pace and the five-year average.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

Following a week of excessive rainfall across much of the Corn Belt, DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said farmers in some areas may finally get an opportunity to return to the field, while producers in the Plains continue to receive much-needed moisture.

"After a week of some really heavy rainfall across large areas of the Corn Belt, it will be a lot tamer this week," Baranick said. "A stalled front last week brought some continuous rainfall over large areas of the Corn Belt, but that front is finally shifting down into the Southeast early this week. Showers are forecast to dwindle as it does so, leaving behind some more fall-like temperatures across more of the Midwest and Tennessee Valley after the extended summer last week. While harvest progress was tough in a lot of areas last week, the areas that saw heavy rain will have some chance to dry out, and maybe allow farmers to get back out into their fields later this week.

"But out in the Plains, rain will continue. We saw widespread showers last week that should help with the ongoing drought. Not all areas saw rain, of course, but many areas from west Texas into South Dakota and Montana got some needed rain. It may affect harvest but should help with moistening soils for winter wheat planting and early establishment. A lot of these areas are going to need more rain, and more is coming. We should see showers somewhere in the Plains every day this week. Some of the heaviest rain is forecast from New Mexico and west Texas into Nebraska. There could be some localized areas of flooding that go along with it if they hit the same areas over and over again. Otherwise, they should be good soaking rains now that we're heading into the true fall season."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn dented	92	86	90	91
Corn mature	58	42	54	55
Corn harvested	13	8	10	11
Soybeans dropping leaves	62	44	58	58
Soybeans harvested	12	6	8	8
Winter wheat planted	17	8	19	21
Spring wheat harvested	96	93	96	96
Cotton bolls opening	65	57	59	58
Cotton harvested	13	8	12	11
Sorghum headed	97	94	100	99
Sorghum coloring	88	78	88	89
Sorghum mature	56	49	51	52
Sorghum harvested	25	22	25	26
Barley harvested	98	94	98	96
Rice harvested	73	62	70	60

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Year	3	7	24	49	17
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	10	28	46	12
Prev Week	4	9	29	46	12
Prev Year	4	8	27	48	13
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Peanuts
This Week	1	8	31	53	7
Prev Week	1	9	29	55	6
Prev Year	3	11	31	46	9
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	10	25	31	28	6
Prev Week	12	22	30	30	6
Prev Year	6	12	35	37	10
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (9/21)

2026-09-21T07:01:49.113-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 9 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	3666978 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (9/17)

2026-09-17T06:52:10.165-07:00

Last week, there were several areas that had significant rainfall amounts. One area was over Iowa, eastern Nebraska and Kansas, and northwest Missouri, where more than 4 inches fell in central Iowa and southeastern Kansas. Another area was centered over Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, where conditions were already wet. Much of Florida and the Gulf Coast received 2 to 4 inches of precipitation in the past week. Most of the southwest U.S. received little rain, with exceptions of scattered monsoonal precipitation along the New Mexico-Arizona border. Most of Texas and Oklahoma continued to be dry, as was the majority of the western Great Plains.

Temperatures in the southern Great Plains and lower Mississippi valley continued to be very warm, in some locations over 10F above normal. Most of the rest of the continental U.S. was also above normal. The only areas with below normal temperatures for the past week were in northern New England as well as most of the northwest states.

Northeast

Northern New Jersey to Cape Cod along the coast of southern New England had a band of significant rain in the past week. Unfortunately, this rain was not where it was most needed. Much of Maine saw deteriorating drought conditions with continued dryness. An area of extreme drought was introduced along the Maine coastline, with low streamflows and well levels observed. Another area with rain falling over locations that are not abnormally dry was in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Southeast

Central Virginia had moderate rainfall this past week, leading to some drought improvement. Most of the Carolinas into Georgia were warm and dry, however, resulting the regional degradation of drought conditions. Florida was generally wet and had drought improvement in small areas in the north, center, and south parts of the state. Meanwhile, Alabama continued to experience above normal temperatures and limited rainfall in the central to north, leading to large areas with drought degradation. There remain some areas of extreme drought in northern North Carolina, coastal South and North Carolina, and small areas in Florida.

South

Extremely above normal temperatures continued in this region over the past week. Nearly all locations had drought deterioration, with the exceptions of northern Arkansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and coastal Mississippi. Much of Texas and into the Ark-La-Tex area experienced flash drought conditions. In addition to the heat, these areas received little rainfall in the week. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions are noted in far south Texas, most of northern Texas into western and southern Oklahoma, northwestern and northeastern Arkansas, and along the Arkansas-Mississippi border.

Midwest

Significant rainfall was observed over western Kentucky as well as over central-to-north Missouri, leading in removal of abnormally dry conditions. Heavy rain also fell in northwestern Iowa, northern Minnesota, and a band across central Wisconsin, with drought improvement as a result in these locations. Meanwhile, a mostly rain-free week in northern Illinois and Indiana caused introduction of an abnormally dry area. Extreme drought conditions can be found in southern Missouri, northern Wisconsin, and along the borders of Minnesota with both Wisconsin and North Dakota.

High Plains

Eastern Kansas had above normal precipitation over the past week; this led to improvement in drought conditions in this area. Eastern Nebraska and eastern South Dakota also had decent rainfall and resulting improvement to drought. Other areas of South Dakota that missed out on the rain had drought degradation. Colorado had drought degradations in the center part of the state, with drought improvements in both the southwest and southeast parts. Extreme drought continues over much of Colorado and Wyoming, western Nebraska and the Dakotas, and in eastern North Dakota. Exceptional drought is observed over much of central Colorado as well as two localized areas in far western Nebraska.

West

An area from southwestern Oregon to central Washington into northern Idaho and Montana received some welcome rainfall during the week. The rain resulted in regional improvements in drought conditions. One location that just missed out was in northwest Washington on the Canadian border, resulting in a drought degradation, where continued low streamflows were observed. There were also areas on the California-Nevada border and central Arizona with drought degradation that also received little-to-no rainfall. Extreme drought is shown over much of central Oregon, central Utah, southern Idaho down into northern Nevada, and small areas in northern Washington and southern Arizona. Exceptional drought continues in southern Idaho, northern Nevada, and northeastern Oregon.

Caribbean

In Puerto Rico, some locations did experience heavy rain over the past week, which improved drought conditions. Additional rainfall will be needed to ameliorate extreme drought conditions in the northeast as well as the central-to-southern coast.

St. Croix experienced highly variable and light rainfall this week. The NWS/NOAA station at East Hill recorded 0.13 inches. The CoCoRaHS network recorded 0.48 inch at Christiansted 1.6 E (VI-SC-10), 0.07 inch at Frederiksted 1.7 ESE (VI-SC-20) and Christiansted 6.5 W (VI-SC-23), 0.18 inch at Christiansted 1.7 SW (VI-SC-30), 0.70 inches at Frederiksted 1.9 NE (VI-SC-34) and 0.12 inch at Frederiksted 1.3 ENE (VI-SC-35). Thus, reported rainfall ranged from 0.07 to 0.80 inches, with the largest amount occurring in the Christiansted area. The groundwater conditions remained very poor. At Adventure 28 Well, the water level on September 15 was 25.85 feet, compared with 18.62 feet on September 15, 2025, indicating the water level was about 7.2 feet lower than a year earlier. These conditions indicate continued short-term extreme drought (D3-S).

This week, St. John experienced sparce rainfall although available observations are limited. The Rafe Boulon (VI-SJ-3) station at Windswept Beach recorded 0.3 inches, while the CoCoRaHS station VI-SJ-5 at Cruz Bay 1.6 E recorded 0.38 inches and station VI-SJ-10 at Cruz Bay 3.1 NNW recorded 0.5 inches. None of the stations measured over half-an-inch of rainfall. At Susannaberg DPW 3 well, the water level on September 15 was measured at 18.73 feet below the land surface, compared to12.68 feet on September 15, 2025. This 6.10-foot difference indicates the groundwater level is substantially deeper now than it was a year ago. Observations showed that the depth continued to increase from the previous week, and St. John remains in short-term extreme drought (D3-S) conditions.

St. Thomas observed significant variability in rainfall this week. While Cyril E. King Airport recorded no rainfall, CoCoRaHS station VI-ST-5 at Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW measured 1.01 inches and station VI-ST-15 at Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N recorded 0.43 inches. This shows a rainfall range of 0.00 to 1.01 inches. On September 15, groundwater levels were at 8.41 feet, up from 9.76 feet the previous week and almost equal to 8.22 feet this time last year on September 15, 2025. Despite this week's improvement in groundwater depth, 3- to 12-month precipitation indicators show large precipitation deficits remain and St. Thomas continues to experience short-term extreme drought (D3-S) conditions.

Pacific

In Alaska, areas of abnormally dry conditions were also removed based on recent rains in the southeastern part of the mainland.

Over Hawaii, rainfall from remnants and outer bands of tropical systems resulted in removal of abnormally dry conditions on the islands of Maui and Molokaʻi.

Conditions across the Marshal islands brought intermittent showers and heavy rainfall for most islands this week (September 9-15). This week, all but Utirik (1.74 inches) received over 3 inches of rain with Ailinglapalap recording 6.41 inches, Jaluit 4.13 inches, Kwajalein 5.84 inches, Majuro 3.87 inches, Mili 4.23 inches and Wotje 3.54 inches. While Utirik did receive 1.74 inches this week, it follows several weeks of below adequate precipitation demand leading to the introduction of short-term abnormal dryness (D0-S).

The Federation States of Micronesia experienced generally good rainfall this week, with most stations receiving 2-6 inches. This week, Chuuk Lagoon received 2.39 inches (1 day missing), Kapingamarangi 0.98 inches, Kosrae 2.16 inches (2 days missing), Lukunor 5.91 inches (2 days missing), Nukuoro 1.88 inches, Ulithi 3.34 inches, (2 days missing) Pohnpei 5.81 inches, Woleai 4.19 inches (1 day missing) and Yap 2.23 inches (1 day missing). Kapingamarangi remained in short-term abnormally dryness (D0-S) after at least three weeks of dryness but showed some improvement from recent rainfall. Fananu and Pingelap had no data.

American Samoa received much needed and beneficial rainfall this week after several dry weeks. This week, Pago Pago received 2.68 inches (1 day missing), Siufaga Ridge 6.56 inches and Toa Ridge 5.43 inches. Despite the abundant rainfall this week, conditions remain in short-term moderate drought conditions, though more rainfall in the weeks to come could improve those conditions.

Palau experienced another week of inadequate precipitation and remain in short-term moderate drought (D1-S). This week with both Koror and WSO Palau/Airai recorded 1.87 inches. While this week did get more precipitation, this followed 2 consecutive dry weeks.

This week, the Mariana Islands received generally adequate rainfall. Synoptic conditions favored active convection and locally heavy showers, particularly over Guam that received an average of 2.7 inches this week with Antonio B Won Pat International Airport recording 4.49 inches, Agat 3.19 recording inches and Dededo recording 3.13 inches (2 days missing). Saipan averaged over 3.18 inches this week with Saipan International Airport recording 3.41 inches and Capital Hill recording 2.95 inches this week. Rota received 2.54 inches this week with the September monthly total already surpassing the necessary 4 inches (4.52 inches). Tinian only recorded trace precipitation (0.06 inches), though there was no data for 6 of the 7 days this week. All islands remain free of dryness or drought.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.

The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (9/15)

2026-09-15T06:50:30.246-07:00

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 8% Harvested, Soybeans 6% Harvested as of Sept. 13

2026-09-14T13:47:56.698-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- The U.S. soybean harvest kicked off ahead of both last year's and the five-year-average pace, while the nation's corn harvest also continued slightly ahead of normal, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

This week, farmers across the country will be dealing with dramatically different weather conditions, according to DTN weather forecasts.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn dented was estimated at 86%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 83% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 84%. Corn mature was pegged at 42%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 39% and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 38%.

-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 8% of corn has been harvested nationally, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 7% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 6%.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from the previous week but 10 percentage points below last year's 67%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, equal to the previous week and 8 percentage points above the previous year's 9%. Iowa's crop was rated at 76% good to excellent, while North Carolina and North Dakota were poorly rated at 12% and 22%, respectively, according to DTN Senior Analyst Dana Mantini.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 44%, 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 38% and 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 37%.

-- Harvest progress: In its first soybean harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 6% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's 5% and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 3%

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 5 percentage points below the previous year's 63%. Iowa's crop was rated at 74% good to excellent and Tennessee's was 75%, while North Dakota's crop was rated just 24% good to excellent, Mantini noted.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest reached 93% complete as of Sunday. That was equal to last year's pace but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 92%. South Dakota's spring wheat harvest was estimated at 100% complete with Minnesota's harvest at 98% finished, Mantini noted.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 8% complete nationally, 2 percentage points behind last year's 10% and 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 12%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

This week's weather pattern is anything but uniform, with starkly different conditions expected from the Northern Plains to the Gulf Coast, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

"It's sort of a tale of two halves here this week," Baranick said. "Across the North, a big storm system is moving through the Northern Plains on Monday and has already laid down a widespread area of heavy rain there and into the upper Midwest. That system will leave a front draped from the Nebraska-Kansas border through Iowa and across the southern Great Lakes where daily showers and thunderstorms should develop. Areas of heavy rain are going to make harvest difficult and could cause some flooding near that front, leading to some damage potential. Temperatures will be very seasonal, with a lot of highs in the 60s and 70s and some potential for frosts in a few areas that see winds calm down a bit.

"But south of that front, it will continue to be much more like summer. Highs in the 90s and near 100 degrees and extremely humid are going to be common throughout the week. Outside of some spotty showers near the Gulf, it should be rather dry, as well. That will not bode well for soil moisture, as we should see some drought growth this week. The exception may be in the southwestern Plains where there could be some occasional showers and milder temperatures throughout the week. Any rainfall would be helpful there as more producers go out and plant winter wheat.

"Another system is forecast to develop along that front for this weekend, but models are having a tough time trying to figure out how that will all come together -- whether or not it will produce widespread rain, or push that front far enough into the Southeast by early next week to bring some relief to temperatures and some rain, as well. So, there is some uncertainty with the mid-range forecast."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn dented	86	76	83	84
Corn mature	42	25	39	38
Corn harvested	8	5	7	6
Soybeans dropping leaves	44	26	38	37
Soybeans harvested	6	NA	5	3
Winter wheat planted	8	2	10	12
Spring wheat harvested	93	86	93	92
Cotton bolls opening	57	40	49	48
Cotton harvested	8	7	9	8
Sorghum headed	97	94	100	99
Sorghum coloring	78	68	80	80
Sorghum mature	49	41	43	41
Sorghum harvested	22	20	22	22
Barley harvested	94	90	94	93
Rice harvested	62	50	59	50

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Week	6	11	27	42	14
Prev Year	3	6	24	50	17
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	9	29	46	12
Prev Week	4	9	29	46	12
Prev Year	3	8	26	50	13
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Peanuts
This Week	1	9	29	55	6
Prev Week	1	8	29	55	7
Prev Year	1	7	28	54	10
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	12	22	30	30	6
Prev Week	11	21	34	29	5
Prev Year	4	10	34	42	10
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (9/14)

2026-09-14T06:47:48.161-07:00

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 10 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)

Total space available:	3628359 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (9/10)

2026-09-10T06:58:51.083-07:00

Drought and abnormal dryness continued to expand or intensify this week across parts of the central and south-central United States as flash drought conditions continued from much of Texas northeast to the middle and lower Mississippi River Valley. Warmer-than-normal temperatures, ranging from 10-15 degrees F above normal in much of the central Great Plains, Corn Belt and Missouri, combined with mostly dry weather in these areas to support worsening drought. Largely drier weather also continued this week in New England, in parts of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, along parts of the North Dakota-South Dakota border, in southeast Montana and in southwest Colorado, leading to degradations occurring in parts of these areas. In contrast, heavy rains fell from southeast South Dakota into western Iowa and southern Minnesota, in eastern Wisconsin, in northern North Dakota, in western Oregon and in parts of the northern Rocky Mountains in Montana and Idaho. Scattered heavy rains, locally 2-3 inches or more, also occurred in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, eastern North Carolina and Florida. Tropical Storm Edouard and its remnants delivered very heavy rain amounts, locally 10-15 inches or more, in a narrow corridor in southeast Texas. Lowell, in the central Pacific Ocean, delivered heavy rain amounts to Niihau, Kauai and Oahu as it passed west of the islands as a hurricane earlier this week, alleviating abnormal dryness in a few areas. Conditions continued to improve in localized areas of Puerto Rico this week after recent heavy rains. While the central United States dealt with an early-autumn heat wave, near- or below-normal temperatures occurred from the Great Basin west to the Pacific Ocean.

Northeast

Scattered heavy rains fell in the Northeast this week, especially in parts of far northern New York, southwest New York, Pennsylvania, northeast West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware. The heaviest amounts fell in portions of central Pennsylvania, where locally over 5 inches of rain fell. The rain led to some improvements to ongoing long-term drought and abnormal dryness in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey, where precipitation deficits lessened and streamflow and soil moisture levels improved. In contrast, moderate and severe drought increased in parts of southern Maine and Vermont and New Hampshire, where precipitation deficits quickly grew and soil moisture and streamflow declined. Temperatures were generally near or a few degrees below normal in New England, while western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia were 5 or more degrees above normal for the week.

Southeast

With long-term dryness entrenched in parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia and Florida, localized heavier rains, or lack thereof, played a large role in how conditions changed in the Southeast this week. Conditions were quickly drying in southern Virginia and parts of northern and western North Carolina and northern Georgia. Temperatures were also 5-10 degrees above normal in these areas this week. A few locations in eastern North Carolina received enough rainfall to lessen precipitation deficits and boost soil moisture. In contrast, drier weather in parts of south-central Virginia and the western Carolinas led to worsening precipitation deficits and lowered streamflows and soil moisture in some locales. Widespread improvements occurred in the Florida Peninsula and adjacent southeast Georgia following widespread heavy rains, locally totaling 4-6 inches. Remaining drought in northeast Florida is primarily long-term in nature, as most shorter-term drought impacts have stopped.

South

Large parts of the South region continued to quickly dry this week amid mostly above-normal temperatures and dry weather. A few exceptions include southern Louisiana, southeast Texas (where former Tropical Storm Edouard dropped rain amounts that locally exceeded 10 inches), and parts of the western Oklahoma Panhandle, where scattered thunderstorm rains occurred. Isolated one-category improvements occurred in the Oklahoma Panhandle, while one- and two-category improvements occurred in southeast Texas, where precipitation deficits were either reduced or erased entirely, along with improved soil moisture and streamflow. Elsewhere, mostly dry weather and hot temperatures (5-15 degrees above normal) covered a wide area from western and northern Texas through most of Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern Mississippi and Tennessee. Short-term rainfall deficits continued to grow across much of the region, along with dropping soil moisture and streamflow levels, leading to widespread agricultural drought impacts. Large areas of degrading conditions spread from much of Texas into eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern Mississippi and portions of Tennessee. The rapidly drying weather in Tennessee came after much wetter recent weather, somewhat lessening the impact of the recent heat and dryness there and in neighboring Kentucky.

Midwest

Weather and drought (or lack thereof) conditions were a mixed bag across the Midwest this week. Temperatures across the region were warmer than normal, with most of the region finishing the week at least 5-10 degrees above normal, and large portions of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois finishing the week 10-15 degrees above normal. Thunderstorms dropped heavy amounts of rain, locally exceeding 5 inches, in northwest Iowa, southern Minnesota and east-central Wisconsin. Notable rains of 1-2 inches or more also fell in parts of far northeast Indiana, southern Lower Michigan, west-central Wisconsin, northern (especially northwestern) Minnesota and parts of Ohio. Elsewhere, with a few exceptions, dry weather came along with the heat, and most of Missouri (excluding the northwest), Illinois, Indiana (excluding the far northeast) and western Kentucky received little or no rainfall. Moderate, severe and extreme drought coverage grew across south-central and southwest Missouri, where significant short-term precipitation deficits and soil moisture deficits continued to build amidst declining streamflow in some areas. Widespread agricultural drought impacts were occurring across south-central and southwest Missouri given these conditions and the early-autumn heat wave. Short-term moderate drought also expanded in northeast Missouri where short-term rainfall deficits grew and soil moisture and streamflow dropped. While not yet at drought levels, abnormal dryness expanded across much of Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky, where conditions have quickly dried due to the hot and dry weather pattern of the past few weeks. In far northern Illinois, hot and dry weather this week led to a small area of moderate drought development where soil moisture levels have dropped. Short-term moderate drought developed in parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where short-term rainfall deficits combined with low levels of soil moisture and streamflow. Heavy rains led to improving conditions in west-central and northwest Iowa (and adjacent southwest Minnesota), east-central Wisconsin and northwest Minnesota. Extreme drought expanded slightly into the Twin Cities area, where short- and mid-term precipitation deficits increased.

High Plains

Conditions in the High Plains region this week were mixed. Scattered heavy rains fell in northeast and southwest Nebraska, southeast South Dakota, northern North Dakota and far southwest Kansas, leading to localized or widespread improvements in these and neighboring areas. However, temperatures across the region were warmer than normal, leading to abnormally high atmospheric thirst and widespread degrading conditions in parts of the region. Temperatures were mostly 10-15 degrees above normal in Kansas, eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. Eastern Kansas and southeast Nebraska were particularly hot and dry this week, leading to large expansions of moderate, severe and extreme drought in south-central and southeast Kansas, and the introduction of abnormal dryness in much of northeast Kansas. Unusually wet weather in August kept conditions in southeast Nebraska from drying as much as areas farther south and southeast. Severe and extreme drought also grew in coverage in southeastern North Dakota, where warm and dry weather this week worsened precipitation deficits and soil moisture conditions. Drought conditions improved in southeastern South Dakota, and adjacent far northeast Nebraska, where rain amounts of 2-5 inches fell. Similar amounts of rain fell in parts of northern North Dakota, leading to improvements in soil moisture and streamflow there and improving drought conditions. Heavy rain amounts of 1-3 inches fell in parts of southwest Nebraska and the Nebraska Panhandle, and adjacent northeast Colorado, lessening precipitation deficits and improving drought conditions.

West

Most of California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho were cooler-than-normal this week, with some areas of northern California and southern Oregon finishing the week 10-15 degrees below normal. Eastern portions of New Mexico and Montana, by contrast, were warmer than normal, with temperatures in most areas 5-10 degrees above normal. Widespread moderate to heavy precipitation fell from northern California across portions of Oregon, central and northern Idaho and western and northern Montana. Precipitation amounts in western Montana and northern Idaho ranged from 2 to 6 inches. This led to increased soil moisture and streamflow and lessened short- and long-term precipitation deficits, and the coverage of moderate and severe drought and abnormal dryness lessened in some areas. Precipitation also improved conditions in south-central Oregon, as long-term precipitation deficits lessened in severity. Long-term precipitation deficits grew amid groundwater and soil moisture shortages in south-central Nevada, leading to an increase in severe drought coverage there. In southeast Montana, warm and dry weather led to decreased streamflow and soil moisture in a few areas, leading to localized expansion of severe and extreme drought.

Caribbean

Rain totals of 1-5 inches fell in parts of central, north-central and western Puerto Rico. This led to improvement of severe and moderate drought and abnormal dryness in central and north-central parts of the island. Recent rainfall also allowed a small amount of improvement to extreme drought in southeast Puerto Rico.

This week, the dominant atmospheric pattern changed from the influence of the remnants of Hurricane Dolly early in the week to a southeast trade-wind regime. This brought passing showers and isolated thunderstorms, followed by slightly drier air on September 8. While this week's rainfall helped in some areas, it was not enough to alleviate the ongoing extreme drought conditions, particularly the significant groundwater deficits observed at monitoring wells.

St. Croix experienced highly variable rainfall this week. The NWS/NOAA station at East Hill recorded 0.10 inches. The CoCoRaHS network recorded 0.14 inch at Christiansted 1.6 E (VI-SC-10), 0.11 inch at Frederiksted 1.7 ESE (VI-SC-20), 0.44 inch at Christiansted 6.5 W (VI-SC-23), 0.20 inch at Christiansted 1.7 SW (VI-SC-30), 1.14 inches at Frederiksted 1.9 NE (VI-SC-34), and 0.88 inch at Frederiksted 1.3 ENE (VI-SC-35). Thus, reported rainfall ranged from 0.10 to 1.14 inches, with the largest amount occurring in the Frederiksted area. These observations indicate that rainfall was locally substantial but unevenly distributed across the island. Despite the rainfall, the groundwater conditions remained very poor. At Adventure 28 Well, the water level on September 8 was 25.66 ft, compared with 18.67 ft on September 8, 2025, indicating the water level was about 6.99 ft lower than a year earlier. These conditions indicate continued extreme drought.

This week, St. John experienced locally significant rainfall, although available observations are limited. The Rafe Boulon (VI-SJ-3) station at Windswept Beach recorded 1.47 inches, while the CoCoRaHS station VI-SJ-5 at Cruz Bay 1.6 E recorded 1.04 inches. Both stations measured over 1 inch of rainfall, indicating that parts of St. John received a beneficial amount of precipitation during the week. However, the groundwater situation remained much less favorable. At Susannaberg DPW 3 well, the water level on September 8 was measured at 18.64 feet below the land surface, compared to 10.14 feet on September 8, 2025. This 8.50-foot difference indicates the groundwater level is substantially deeper now than it was a year ago. Observations showed that the depth continued to increase from the previous week, and St. John remains in extreme drought conditions.

St. Thomas observed significant variability in rainfall this week. While Cyril E. King Airport recorded no rainfall, CoCoRaHS station VI-ST-5 at Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW measured 1.19 inches, and station VI-ST-15 at Charlotte Amalie West 1.3 N recorded 0.51 inches. This shows a rainfall range of 0.00 to 1.19 inches. On September 8, groundwater levels were at 9.76 feet, slightly up from 9.88 feet the previous week. However, this is still much higher than the 7.77 feet recorded on September 8, 2025, making it about 1.99 feet deeper than last year. Despite this week's minor improvement in groundwater depth, St. Thomas continues to experience extreme drought conditions.

Pacific

Rainfall in the central Interior region this week led to some improvement in areas experiencing abnormal dryness. Drier-than-normal weather continued in southeast Alaska, and moderate short-term drought continued there. Above-normal precipitation fell in parts of central and western Alaska, with some areas receiving at least 150 percent of normal precipitation. South-central Alaska and the Aleutian Islands were drier than normal this week, with some areas receiving less than half of their normal weekly precipitation. Temperatures across most of Alaska were generally within 5 degrees of normal (with a few exceptions). Temperatures mostly leaned cooler than normal in central and northern Alaska and warmer than normal in southeast Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

Heavy rain fell across portions of Niihau, Kauai and Oahu following the passage of Lowell’s center to the west of the islands. Abnormal dryness was removed on Kauai and Oahu following Lowell’s passage, while abnormal dryness also improved in southern parts of central Maui. Above-normal rainfall also occurred in parts of the Big Island of Hawaii, especially along the east-central and southeast ends of the island.

Synoptic conditions across the Marshall Islands featured tropical moisture and localized convergence, producing intermittent showers but considerable island-to-island rainfall variability. Rainfall was generally adequate during September 2–8, although rainfall remained variable among stations. This week, Ailinglapalap received 1.60 inches, Jaluit 0.20 inches, Kwajalein 3.51 inches, Majuro 2.28 inches, Mili 1.62 inches, Utirik 0.78 inches, and Wotje 2.10 inches. The increased rainfall at Kwajalein, Majuro, and Mili indicates generally favorable moisture conditions, and all stations remain drought-free. Jaluit experienced a second dry week, and Utirik received limited but sufficient rainfall to remain drought-free. However, continued dryness at both locations should be monitored for possible development of abnormally dry conditions.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) experienced generally adequate rainfall this week, with most stations receiving between about 1.8 and 3.1 inches. This week, Chuuk Lagoon received 0.19 inches (1 day missing), Kapingamarangi 1.97 inches, Kosrae 4.18 inches, Lukunor 3.05 inches, Nukuoro 1.88 inches, Ulithi 1.84 inches, Pohnpei 2.29 inches, Woleai 2.43 inches, and Yap 0.14 inches. Chuuk had also received 2.84 inches during the previous week, while Kapingamarangi remained abnormally dry (D0-S) after at least two weeks of dryness but showed some improvement from recent rainfall. Fananu and Pingelap had no data. Synoptic conditions supported periodic convection and showers in a moist tropical environment, with rainfall generally sufficient to maintain drought-free conditions across the FSM, although Yap and Chuuk received considerably less rain this week.

American Samoa continued to experience insufficient rainfall and persistent drought conditions. Synoptic conditions were dominated by trade-wind flow and localized convergence, producing scattered showers but not enough widespread or persistent rainfall to alleviate the existing moisture deficit. This week, Pago Pago received 0.23 inches, Siufaga Ridge 0.4 inches, and Toa Ridge 0.65 inches. Although Toa Ridge received somewhat more rainfall, precipitation remained localized and insufficient to provide meaningful drought relief. All three stations remain in short-term moderate drought conditions.

Palau experienced continued severe rainfall deficits this week. Synoptic conditions were unfavorable for significant rainfall, with suppressed convection and relatively stable conditions limiting shower development over Palau. Both Koror and WSO Palau/Airai recorded 0.00 inches. This represented a second consecutive dry week, and the drought condition has now deteriorated from an abnormal drought to a short-term drought classification (D1-S) at both locations. Weekly rainfall observations also indicated that Koror experienced dry conditions during six of the past seven weeks, while Airai also experienced persistent dryness in recent weeks.

This week, the Mariana Islands received generally adequate rainfall, although precipitation was highly localized. Synoptic conditions favored active convection and locally heavy showers, particularly over Guam, where enhanced moisture and convergence produced the 3.07-inch rainfall event on September 6. The exceptionally heavy rainfall on Guam accounted for most of the island's weekly total. This week, Guam received 4.09 inches, including 3.07 inches on September 6; Rota received 2.67 inches; Saipan received 1.24 inches; and Tinian received 0.38 inches (5 days missing). The rainfall was sufficient to maintain drought-free conditions across all four locations.

Looking Ahead

From the evenings of Wednesday, September 9-Monday, September 14, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center precipitation forecast is for mostly dry weather in the West, and in the western half of the Great Plains, except for parts of north-central Idaho eastward across Montana into North Dakota, where over 0.75 inches of precipitation are forecast in most areas. Eastern parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma may also receive 0.75 inches or more of rain, with some parts of eastern Kansas and western Missouri forecast to receive 1.5 inches of rain or more. Much of northern Iowa, Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan are forecast to receive at least 1.5 inches of rain. Rain amounts at or above 0.75 inches are also likely in parts of the Ohio River Valley, southern Mid-Atlantic, southeast Louisiana, and parts of southern Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia and the Carolinas. Parts of the Florida Peninsula may receive 1.5-4 inches of rain. Generally drier weather, with local exceptions, is forecast in Texas, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, northern parts of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and southern New England.

For September 15-19, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecast favors above-normal precipitation for much of the contiguous United States, especially in the Four Corners states. Near-normal precipitation is favored near the Gulf Coast and in parts of central and northern California and Nevada and eastern Oregon and Washington. Below-normal precipitation is favored in western parts of Oregon and Washington. Warmer-than-normal temperatures are favored across much of the southern and eastern United States, especially in the Southeast. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are favored in North Dakota, northern South Dakota, northwest Minnesota and most of Montana. Above-normal precipitation and temperatures are both favored in Hawaii. In Alaska, warmer-than-normal temperatures are favored across the state. Above-normal precipitation is favored in most of Alaska, though below-normal precipitation is likelier in southeast Alaska, and near-normal precipitation is favored in the central Aleutian Islands.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - Corn 5% Harvested, Rated 56% Good to Excellent as of Sept. 6

2026-09-09T06:46:34.527-07:00

OMAHA (DTN) -- The U.S. corn harvest kicked off slightly ahead of last year's pace and ahead of the five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Tuesday. The report, which is normally released on Mondays, was delayed this week due to the Labor Day holiday.

A series of frontal systems is expected to bring repeated rounds of rain to the Corn Belt this week, which could slow harvest progress for some.

CORN

-- Crop development: Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 96%, 2 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 94%. Corn dented was estimated at 76%, 4 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 72%. Corn mature was pegged at 25%, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 24% and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 23%.

-- Harvest progress: In its first corn harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 5% of corn has been harvested nationally, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 4% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 3%.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 56% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, 1 percentage point below the previous week and 12 percentage points below last year's 68%. Iowa's crop remains the best rated at 77% good to excellent, noted DTN Senior Analyst Dana Mantini. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, equal to the previous week and 8 percentage points above the previous year's 9%.

SOYBEANS

-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 26%, 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 20% and 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 20%.

-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, equal to the previous week and 6 percentage points below the previous year's 64%. As with corn, Iowa was the garden spot with 77% of the state's soybean crop rated good to excellent, according to Mantini. North Dakota was rated at just 28% good to excellent, with 32% rated poor to very poor.

SPRING WHEAT

-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest reached 86% complete as of Sunday. That was 3 percentage points ahead of both last year's pace and the five-year average of 83%.

WINTER WHEAT

-- Planting progress: NASS reported early progress on winter planting at 2% nationally, 2 percentage points behind last year's 4% and 3 percentage points behind the five-year average of 5%.

THE WEEK AHEAD IN WEATHER

DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said a series of frontal systems will bring repeated rounds of rain to the Corn Belt in the coming days, though the wet pattern could prove more of a burden than a benefit as harvest season approaches. Meanwhile, drought-stricken winter wheat country in the Plains may see some relief, but not nearly enough.

"We had some slightly active weather last week across Northern areas, and that may have helped out a few areas out there, even if it doesn't show up in the crop condition numbers," Baranick said. "But this week will be wet again for Northern areas. We've got a front moving through midweek with scattered showers across the Corn Belt that may get some showers farther south as well. Another front will move through the Northern Plains on Friday and sweep across the Corn Belt over the weekend as it settles in for a couple of days. Then, another system will form along that front in the Central Plains on Sunday and move northeast through the Corn Belt into next week, producing more areas of rain. The rain may not help with crop conditions and may be more of a hindrance for some areas already looking to start harvest.

"For some of the hard red winter wheat areas in the Central and Southern Plains, the rain will be nice to see, but it isn't looking like a whole lot. With how much drought there is, it could ease some of that concern a bit in some areas, but we need a lot more rain to feel good about winter wheat planting and establishment. The good news is that the long-range forecast does favor these areas, so maybe producers will push the planters out there anyway. Otherwise, it'll be quite hot yet across the South. A front will remove the extreme heat over the next few days, but it will still be above normal going into next week."

National Crop Progress Summary
	This	Last	Last	5-Year
	Week	Week	Year	Avg.
Corn dough	96	92	94	94
Corn dented	76	62	72	72
Corn mature	25	13	24	23
Corn harvested	5	NA	4	3
Soybeans dropping leaves	26	13	20	20
Winter wheat planted	2	NA	4	5
Spring wheat harvested	86	77	83	83
Cotton setting bolls	96	89	96	96
Cotton bolls opening	40	29	38	38
Cotton harvested	7	NA	7	6
Sorghum headed	94	89	97	96
Sorghum coloring	68	54	69	69
Sorghum mature	41	29	36	33
Sorghum harvested	20	17	20	20
Oats harvested	98	94	93	93
Barley harvested	90	77	85	85
Rice harvested	50	38	43	38

National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
	VP	P	F	G	E
Corn
This Week	6	11	27	42	14
Prev Week	6	11	26	44	13
Prev Year	3	6	23	49	19
DTN 5-Yr Avg	5	10	26	46	13

Soybeans
This Week	4	9	29	46	12
Prev Week	4	9	29	46	12
Prev Year	3	7	26	50	14
DTN 5-Yr Avg	4	10	28	47	11

Rice
This Week	1	3	23	56	17
Prev Week	0	3	26	55	16
Prev Year	0	3	23	55	19
DTN 5-Yr Avg	1	3	22	58	17

Peanuts
This Week	1	8	29	55	7
Prev Week	1	7	29	54	9
Prev Year	1	6	28	54	11
DTN 5-Yr Avg	2	8	32	51	7

Cotton
This Week	11	21	34	29	5
Prev Week	11	21	29	33	6
Prev Year	2	9	35	46	8
DTN 5-Yr Avg	12	17	30	34	6