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Central Corn Belt To Stay Hot, Dry

Forecasters on Friday continued to predict hot, dry conditions over the eastern Corn Belt through the middle of next week, fueling increased fears of crop damage in key Illinois growing areas, which are now extremely dry.

A large stable ridge of high pressure is expected to remain the dominant feature of Midwest weather again next week, blocking moist air from moving over the dry areas.

Long-range forecasts released Friday also indicated a return to dry conditions following a brief break in the dry pattern late next week.

The Meteorologix weather service says the dry areas of Illinois will probably see only isolated thundershowers during the next five days. The best chance for rain in Illinois will be next Wednesday and Thursday, the forecasting firm said.

Meteorlogix says another drier period appears to be in store for the central and eastern Midwest from July 4 through July 9.

Forecasters expect temperatures to stay above normal across the Midwest, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s over the weekend. Highs in the 90s are expected Monday through Wednesday of next week.

Editors note: Richard Brock, The Corn and Soybean Digest's Marketing Editor, is president of Brock Associates, a farm market advisory firm, and publisher of The Brock Report.

To see more market perspectives, visit Brock's Web site at www.brockreport.com.