A heat dome is parked over a large portion of crops in the Midwest.
That is not rare this time of year, and an Iowa state climatologist warns the heat index could climb fast, raising risks for people and livestock.
According to Dr. Justin Glisan, “With all the moisture availability with these high dew points, we could see oppressive heat index values for a few days. And of course, this affects livestock but also humans that have to work outside. But, seasonally, we haven’t really seen an extended heat wave, and the expectation for next week is it’s not going to be exceedingly hot.”
Heat domes often push storms away from affected areas; forecasters say so-called “ridge riders” could still bring strong weather threats.
“We call this the ‘Ring of Fire,’ a configuration in which you have a heat dome that forms, and then you get ridge riders or weather disturbances that move over the ridge, and this can bring above average rainfall to where that jet stream or where that pattern is locked in,” Dr. Glisan explains. “You can also get some squall line development, but overall, yes, you can get above average rainfall when this type of setup occurs.”
After devastating wildfires swept through Nebraska, Sen. Deb Fischer is championing a bill to expedite the relief process for farmers and ranchers. She joins us with updates on recovery efforts, conditions on the ground, and how the ag community has stepped up to help.
March 25, 2026 10:58 AM
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Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins surveys Nebraska wildfire damage as cattle losses, tight supplies, rising imports, and beef industry investigations impact U.S. markets. Roger McEowen outlines legal and tax considerations for ranchers recovering from wildfire damage.
March 23, 2026 11:18 AM
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Nebraska Cattle Rancher Joe Van Newkirk shares his firsthand insight on devastating wildfires in the Sandhills, discusses challenges facing ranchers, long-term calf health concerns, and the recovery efforts underway.
March 20, 2026 01:53 PM
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Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association President Craig Uden shares the latest on Nebraska wildfire conditions, discusses challenges facing producers, and outlines relief efforts underway.
March 20, 2026 01:21 PM
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March 20, 2026 10:28 AM
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Governor Jim Pillen joined us to share the latest on the Nebraska wildfires, discuss relief efforts, and outline considerations for producers navigating the ongoing situation.
March 19, 2026 12:51 PM
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