FREESE-NOTIS
UNITED STATES WEATHER AND CROP COMMENTS

5:00 AM, Thursday, October 15, 2026

FORECAST HIGHLIGHTS

MIDWEST -The Corn Belt region is expected to experience a significant delay in field activities due to wet conditions on Thursday, with widespread showers and thunderstorms forecasted across Iowa and Illinois. According to the NWS Zone Forecasts, areas such as Des Moines, Peoria, Bloomington, and Champaign are expected to receive heavy rainfall, with precipitation totals ranging from 0.36 to 1.61 inches, and a high probability of precipitation (near 100%) on Thursday. The rain will be accompanied by gusty winds, with sustained winds of 15-25 mph and gusts up to 30-40 mph expected in many areas, potentially causing some damage to crops. As the system moves out on Friday, temperatures will cool considerably, with highs in the 50s expected across much of the region, and lows in the mid-30s to lower 40s, potentially leading to patchy frost in areas such as Iowa and northern Illinois. The cooler temperatures will persist into the weekend, with highs in the 50s still expected on Saturday, according to forecasts for locations like Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 6 to 10 day forecast for the Corn Belt indicates a continued cool and dry trend. Highs are expected to remain in the 50s to lower 60s across much of the region, with some areas potentially warming into the upper 60s by mid next week. For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, corn belt temperatures will average near 54.2 F which is 1.1F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.40". Approximately 68% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 71%. For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the western corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal. Eastern corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal.

NORTHEAST - For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, megalopolis area temperatures will average near 56.3 F which is .7 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.48". Approximately 75% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 100%.For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, The Megalopolis temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Normal.

DELTA/SOUTHEAST - For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, delta area temperatures will average near 63.4 F which is1.1 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0". Approximately 0% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 25%.For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the Delta region temperatures will be Normal. Rainfall will be Normal. The southeast region temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Normal.

NORTHERN 1/2 PLAINS - For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, spring wheat temperatures will average near 48.6 F which is3.5 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.36". Approximately 67% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 49%.For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the spring wheat temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal.

CROP/LIVESTOCK/ENERGY IMPACTS

MIDWEST - Warmer than normal temperatures will reduce livestock feed needs.

DELTA/SOUTHEAST - Livestock feed needs will be normal for this time of the year.

NORTHERN 1/2 PLAINS - Colder than normal temperatures will increase livestock feed needs.

SOUTHERN 1/2 PLAINS - Warmer than normal temperatures will reduce livestock feed needs.

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PAST WEATHER/SHORT-RANGE FORECAST

MIDWESTERN U.S. (NE to OH and central MN to southern IL)

Yesterday's temperatures across the western corn belt averaged 63.5 F about 8.3 F from normal. Rainfall averaged 0.02". Approximately 6% of the area received a 0.25" or more. Yesterday's temperatures across the eastern corn belt averaged 71.0 F about 15.3 F from normal. Rainfall averaged 0.07". Approximately 10% of the area will received a 0.25" or more.

For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, corn belt temperatures will average near 54.2 F which is 1.1F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.40". Approximately 68% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 71%.

For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the western corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal. Eastern corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal.

SOUTHEASTERN U.S. (Delta east to Carolinas)

For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, delta area temperatures will average near 63.4 F which is1.1 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0". Approximately 0% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 25%.

For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the Delta region temperatures will be Normal. Rainfall will be Normal. The southeast region temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Normal.

Yesterday's temperatures across the spring wheat belt averaged 47.5 F about -.1 F from normal. Rainfall averaged 0.02". Approximately 0% of the area received a 0.25" or more.

For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, spring wheat temperatures will average near 48.6 F which is3.5 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.36". Approximately 67% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 49%.

Yesterday's temperatures across the winter wheat belt averaged 58.5 F about 1.6 F from normal. Rainfall averaged 2.02". Approximately 29% of the area received a 0.25" or more.

For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, winter wheat temperatures will average near 51.5 F which is -3.2 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.77". Approximately 78% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more.. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 97%.

NORTHEASTERN U.S. MEGALOPOLIS

For the 1-5 day outlook October 15-October 20, megalopolis area temperatures will average near 56.3 F which is .7 F from normal. Rainfall will average 0.48". Approximately 75% of the area will receive a 0.25" or more. This compares to the earlier estimate today of 100%.

For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, The Megalopolis temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Normal.

For the 6-10 day outlook, October 20-October 24, the western corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal. Eastern corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal.

For the 11-15 day outlook October 25-October 29, the western corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Above normal. Eastern corn belt temperatures will be Above normal. Rainfall will be Normal.

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