The latest agroclimatic outlook for the United States signals sharp contrasts in weather patterns across the nation's farm belt. According to the weekly forecast, a short-lived push of polar air will ease temperatures in the northern and central agricultural zones, but the southern areas will see little relief.

By mid-August, tropical winds will dominate, bringing widespread extreme heat to much of the western U.S. agricultural belt and intensifying heat stress in the South. The Northeast and coastal Mid-Atlantic could also face episodic strong winds between August 19 and 20, raising localized risk for crops and infrastructure.

Temperature Forecasts:

• Northeast Wheat Belt and northern Corn Belt: highs above 25°C, with local spikes.

• Northwest & Central-East Wheat Belt, Southern Corn Belt, Eastern & Southern Southeast Region: highs between 30-35°C, with pockets exceeding that.

• Most of Wheat Belt, Delta, and Western Southeast Region: highs above 35°C.

Rainfall Outlook:
Precipitation will remain heavily concentrated in the East, with the Midwest and Delta receiving moderate to very abundant totals (10-75 mm), likely benefiting soybeans and corn during critical development stages. In contrast, the western Wheat Belt will see little to no rain, sustaining soil moisture deficits.

Key Risks for Farmers:

• Moderate heat risk from August 14-18 for Great Basin, Southwest, and Central/Southern Rockies.

• Dryness in the western agricultural belt could worsen yield forecasts for late-season crops and stress rangeland pasture conditions.

For livestock producers, the heat wave could increase cooling costs, reduce feed efficiency, and elevate mortality risks in sensitive operations. For row crop farmers, the rain in the East may enhance yields, but the West faces potential irrigation shortages as water demands climb.

The contrasting conditions underscore the need for precision agriculture strategies-from targeted irrigation management in dry regions to timely harvest and pest monitoring in wetter zones.