Across the Corn Belt, spotty showers accompany a weak disturbance. On August 5, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received its first measurable rain (0.28 inch) since July 15, breaking a 20-day dry spell. Still, more rain is needed across drier areas of the upper Midwest to stabilize crop conditions. USDA/NASS rated 62% of the U.S. corn crop in good to excellent condition on August 1; since the drought of 2012-13 ended, the only years with a smaller amount of corn rated in those two categories at this time of year were 2017 (60% on August 6) and 2019 (57% on August 4).

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