Heavy rains flood cornfields in southwest Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska

Heavy rain pushed through parts of the western Corn Belt Wednesday night and Thursday, May 23 and 24. Rainfall amounts ranged up to 4 in. in parts of Minnesota and 1 in. across the state. The active weather pattern stretched from northeast Nebraska, through northwest Iowa and into southwest Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Rain continued off and on Thursday.

The drenching rains in Minnesota flooded newly planted fields that had grown dry. Fields in the southwest part of the state may need replanting.

Meanwhile, growers in the eastern Corn Belt are growing concerned about a lack of rain. Although the corn crop in many fields is mature enough to pull water from deeper soils, rain is needed to help the crop reach full potential. (See "Dry weather and corn roots," from the University of Illinois.)