NOAA: Hot Summer Ahead

Temperature and precipitation conditions in mid-June across the primary crop regions in the United States look similar to the widespread drought year of 2012 when, at the time, there also was little or no concern about drought, a climatologist said.   Brian Fuchs, climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said as temperatures continue to rise heading into the summer months, climatologists are watching closely for signs of flash drought -- often brought on by a drop in precipitation and increased temperatures and winds. "It looks eerily similar to what we saw in 2012 when there was no sign of drought," Fuchs said. "Right now, we're not anticipating another 2012." From July to September, Fuchs said temperatures across the country are likely to be above normal. When it comes to precipitation, he said there are good opportunities for rain in the Dakotas, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, along with Ohio and Michigan in the next seven days.