WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- Warm, mostly dry weather last week across the western Corn Belt and northern Great Plains caused soil moisture levels to decrease, hurting crop conditions.
Dry weather also prevailed along the Pacific Coast, causing crop conditions to decline, the Agriculture Department said Tuesday. Northwestern heat favored winter wheat maturation and initial harvesting and the rapid development of spring-sown crops.
Heat also hastened winter wheat maturation and harvesting on the northern Plains. Drought conditions in the region continued to stress the northern Plains' spring wheat.
Elsewhere on the Plains, widespread showers and thunderstorms provided some relief to drought-stressed pastures and summer crops.
Below-normal temperatures prevailed in the central Corn Belt, southern Great Plains, Mississippi Delta and southern and middle Atlantic Coast States.
Showers along the western Gulf Coast helped improve crop conditions.
