Drought Continues to Spread

The U.S. continues to be gripped by above normal temperatures and pounded by precipitation that comes in torrents.

A brief but heavy downpour early in the week helped firefighters battling a massive blaze in California and Nevada. Meteorologists warned of the potential for sudden and erratic wind shifts that could endanger crews in the near future.

Experts say the places where streets and buildings are plentiful create urban heat islands. This week, those living in the Bronx found themselves continuing to look for ways to beat the heat and stay cool.

Warmer than normal temperatures dominated the Midwest this week as temps hit 8 degrees above normal. Portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and eastern Minnesota recorded rain amounts that were up to 300 percent above normal. Corn in the good to excellent category combined for an increase of 4 points.  Soybeans in the 18 states responsible for the majority of the crop saw a six point increase in the same column.

Areas of the Pacific Northwest recorded temperatures six degrees below normal with monsoon rains while Montana had an expansion of the drought hitting the area.

Drought continues to have a hold on the nation’s midsection. In the Midwest, some abnormally dry areas improved due to recent rains while areas of serious drought expanded just a little.

For Market to Market, I’m David Miller