Extreme heat broils the Dakotas and Montana, flash drought takes toll on wheat crop.
Temperatures in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas surged into the 90s and 100s on Wednesday, about 15 to 20 degrees above normal.
Forecast models predict the same general weather pattern that supported this heat to persist up to two more weeks.
The sinking air underneath this heat dome has suppressed the formation of rain storms and rapidly dried out the land surface in the northern Plains and mountain West.
The dry pattern commenced in the spring but intensified in recent weeks as the western heat dome settled in.
Glasgow, Montana, had its record-driest April-through-June period.
The suddenness of the drought’s onset and expansion has been remarkable.
Eight weeks later, drought covered 47 percent of North Dakota, 34 percent of South Dakota and much of the eastern third of Montana – and its intensity is severe to extreme in many areas.
“In northwestern South Dakota, South Dakota State University Extension staff reported poor pasture and range conditions as well as deteriorating crop conditions (corn),” the Drought Monitor said.
“Wheat conditions are at some of the lowest ratings in over a decade,” James Cordier, president and head trader at Optionsellers.com in Tampa, told CNBC.