The National Weather Service (NWS) extended forecast calls for increased chances of above-normal temps across most of the country aside from the western Corn Belt and Northern Plains during the July to September period. Those regions are expected to see “equal chances” for normal, above-normal and below-normal temps. The precip outlook calls for a bubble of above-normal rainfall over the Mid-South, much of the Plains and west-central areas of the western Corn Belt. Other areas of the Corn Belt are expected to have “equal chances” for precip, aside from northern Wisconsin and most of Michigan, which are likely to be dry.
The seasonal drought outlook calls for improvement or removal of drought across much of the western Corn Belt through September, while drought is expected to develop or persist over the eastern half of Iowa, northeastern Missouri and across the eastern Corn Belt.