Across the Corn Belt, cool, dry weather prevails. Below-normal temperatures (highs of 85°F or below) are benefiting summer crops in the filling stage of development, although patchy drought remains a concern, especially in the western Corn Belt. Nationally, 16% of the corn was rated in very poor to poor condition on August 14, along with 12% of the soybeans.
On the Plains, lingering extreme heat (high temperatures of 100°F or greater) is limited to central and eastern Texas.