Across the Corn Belt, a final round of rain is spreading eastward from the middle and upper Mississippi Valley. Early Friday, some of the heaviest rain is falling across central Illinois. The recent and ongoing showers have benefited pastures, corn, and soybeans, although many areas of the Midwest are still reporting 30-day rainfall deficits.
On the Plains, mild, mostly dry weather across the northern half of the region favors crop development and fieldwork, including winter wheat harvesting.