June 4th, 2026 Weather Outlook

Key Points

Recent Conditions

• Temperatures were unseasonably warm last week, with many locations at 4-8°F above normal for late May. 
• Portions of central and northwest Wisconsin received as much as 1.5” or more of rainfall last week, but most in the state received 0.25” or less. Over the past 30 days, most of the state has received 50% or less of normal precipitation. 

Impact

• Soil moisture levels at 4” depth across Wisconet research farm stations decreased from last week’s levels, in some cases to zero inches of plant available water. 
• Satellite-based soil moisture models indicate that soils in the top 1-meter depth dried out from last week’s report, with the southeast and west-central regions showing up as much drier-than-normal for early June. 
• Drought has returned to Wisconsin, with southeastern and west-central counties in D1 drought. 
• Despite the lack of rainfall over recent weeks, crop conditions are rated as good to excellent for most Wisconsin fields.  

Outlook

• Rain chances over the next 7 days are highest in the southern and southwestern counties, with the best chances up through Saturday morning (6/6). 
• The outlook for mid-June indicates that most of Wisconsin will likely see above normal temperatures (50-60% odds). 
• Across most of Wisconsin, the June outlook indicates a lean towards above-normal temperatures (40-50% odds) and below-normal precipitation (33-40% odds for most). 

Agronomic, Fruit and Vegetable Considerations

Field Conditions

•  Pay attention to drought stress on sandier grounds with lack of recent precipitation.  
• June is the time for pre-sidedress nitrate soil sampling. See guidelines for PSNT sampling. 

Forage Management

• First crop alfalfa is being harvested throughout WI. Consider using a PEAQ (Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality) stick to estimate relative feed value as you decide when to make each cut. 
• As scissor clips are concluding throughout the state, find UW and UMN quality data using the Alfalfa Harvest Alert dashboard.   

Pest Management

• Start scouting fields on foot to note which weed species are emerging.  
• Be observant of black cutworm and true armyworm moths migrating through the state. Check the DATCP Pest Trap Network Maps. Look for true armyworm larvae in corn (especially around V5).
• Scout emerging corn until V5 for signs of cutworm feeding.  
• Hot and dry weather can reduce herbicide efficacy. Forecasted rains, if they occur, will help push PRE herbicides below the soil surface.  
• Continue scouting for alfalfa weevil larva. Weevil larvae have the greatest impact (quality and yield) on first and second alfalfa cuts. Fields that have been harvested are seeing feeding on second crop regrowth.  
• SlugNet is trapping again in 2026! Review weekly trap catches across the state. Observe fields (especially fields with reduced tillage and cover crops) for any signs of slug damage.  

Manure Applications

• Reminder of Wisconsin’s NR 151 Runoff Rules with the timing of manure spreading and current runoff levels. Check DATCP Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast. 

Small Grains

• Scout small grains for signs of disease. This includes powdery mildew and stripe rust, especially in susceptible varieties. Stripe rust was confirmed in Wisconsin last week. Use the Crop Risk Tool and Fusarium Risk Tool for guidance as Fusarium Head Blight becomes the next disease of concern.     
• Staging small grain growth is important for fungicide timing as diseases are emerging. Review growth stages here.  

Fruit Considerations

• Wisconsin fruit growers can reference the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide for a list of registered products and recommended best practices. View the MFPMG Online. 
• Apple growers can reference the NEWA weather station network to monitor disease infection events for apple scab and fire blight. Make sure to keep track of green tip and petal fall dates. Check out your nearest weather station: NEWA Weather Station Network (Cornell). 
• Codling moth have been captured in Southern WI. Make sure to check traps after warm, calm evenings to establish a biofix date. Biofix occurs when ~5 or more moths are captured in one evening, or captured across consecutive nights. First generation larvae will emerge after ~250 degree-days base 50℉ from the biofix date. 
• Keep track of degree-days (base 50℉) from petal fall to determine the end of plum curculio movement into the orchard. Plum curculio will continue movement into the orchard until ~308 degree-days base 50℉ have accumulated from petal fall. 
• Grape growers can begin fertilization prior to bloom and should review last year’s petiole analysis to determine nutrient needs. Check out this recent UW Fruit News article on Fertilizing Wine Grapes. 
• Grape growers can reference the NEWA weather station network to monitor disease infection events for phomopsis, powdery mildew and black rot. Check out your nearest weather station: NEWA Grape Diseases Model. 
• Strawberry growers may consider reviewing scouting and management strategies for thrips, tarnished plant bug and mites. 

Vegetable Considerations

• Ensure garlic is receiving adequate moisture, between 1 and 2 inches per week, during bulb formation. For more information on growing garlic, check out this resource from Michigan State.  
• Whether you use drip or a center pivot to irrigate, it is important to monitor water pressure to maintain effective irrigation of crops especially during recent dry conditions. Check out this article from Michigan State to learn more.  
• It is a great time to consider summer cover crops before planting fall crops. Summer cover crop options include buckwheat, cowpea, and sorghum sudangrass. Check out these videos from UW Madison Extension and Iowa State Extension to learn more about what might work on your farm. Purdue also has a great article on this topic.  
• While weather that is favorable to late blight has occurred since approximately 50% of potato crops have emerged, we still have not reached that point that preventative applications are necessary.  
• Problems of onion thrips have been reported. Onion thrips can cause serious damage on onions, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, and tomatoes. They overwinter in legume fields and as the first alfalfa crop is harvested, risk of them migrating into your vegetables increases. Scout weekly and pay particular attention to field edges are this pest is more common there early in the season. Scouting tips and management information can be found here and here. 
• Alfalfa harvest also means that aster leafhoppers will be on the move. MSU traps and checks infectivity levels in Michigan. Sign up for text alerts here to get an idea of how infectivity levels are changing throughout the season. Aster leafhoppers spread aster yellows which can cause significant damage to a range of crops including garlic, lettuce, carrots, and parsley. Control of aster yellows depends on control of the aster leafhopper. Management options include floating row covers, planting resistant cultivars, and insecticides. 
• Potato leafhopper is another pest that is common to find on your vegetable crop post alfalfa harvest. Pay attention to beans and potatoes for signs of damage which include veins turning yellow and leaf curling during early stages and later appears as the characteristic “hopper burn” that leads to the yellowing or browning of leaf tips. Damage occurs most rapidly under hot and dry conditions. Management information and action thresholds can be found here.  
• Continue scouting for Colorado potato beetle. Focus on border rows and scan soil surrounding plants to help as adults will drop from plants as a defense tactic. The highest density is typically in fields adjacent to last year’s crop. If you plan to use a set of perimeter sprays, early detection is key. Perimeter sprays of adults are most effective when large amounts of adults are colonizing perimeter rows and have not dispersed through the field. In southern WI (south of the WI river) 10% egg hatch will be approaching this week. Find more information in the Vegetable Crop Update.  
• The risk of western flower thrips is now high or very high north of WI Dells. Thrips particularly like the recent dry conditions. Early detection is key as control can be very difficult. Iowa State has a few useful videos on scouting: tip on finding thrips and tips on spotting thrips damage on cucumber transplants. Control options include row cover, reflective mulch and weed management as weeds such as chickweed and lambsquarters serve as alternative hosts. 
• Continue to scout for striped cucumber beetles. Eggs are laid at the base of cucurbit plants. Once larvae hatch, they feed on roots and stems and can cause stunted growth or even kill seedlings. Adults feed on foliage and fruit and can spread bacterial wilt which can cause severe losses in cucumber and muskmelon. It is important to scout and, when necessary, control beetles early in the season to reduce risk of spreading this bacterial wilt. Control measures include dipping seedlings in kaolin clay prior to transplanting, floating row cover or high tunnel insect exclusion screens, and perimeter trap cropping. 
• Scout for imported cabbageworm and diamondback moth eggs and larvae. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves or occasionally on the stem. Diamondback eggs are tiny, flat, cream colored and laid either singly or in clusters while cabbageworm eggs are yellow, conical, and laid singly. One way to help identify the larvae is by their behavior when disturbed. Cabbageworm larvae will typically remain motionless while diamondback larvae will wiggle around and often fall off the plant. Young transplants and from early heading to harvest plants are more susceptible to damage so the management threshold is when 10% of plants are affected. More information on treatment thresholds and management options can be found here.  
• Swede midge is another pest of brassicas from mid-May through June. They feed on growing points leading to distortion and scarring on leaves. Depending on when infestation occurs, they can also lead to uneven or even complete loss of a head or crown. While there are pheromone traps for swede midge, they can be difficult to use as it is hard to distinguish from other flies. They can be difficult to detect because larvae hide in growth points but an indicator can be a wet growing tip due to burst cells from larvae feeding. Some control options include insect netting, avoiding the use of brassica cover crops, and removing brassica weeds that can serve as alternative hosts.  
• The second generation of adult seed corn maggots is now active across central WI. The risk will last for 8-10 in central WI. Injury is caused exclusively by larvae which feeds on the cotyledons and below ground tissue of seedlings. Poor germination can be an indicator of seed corn maggots. If possible, delay planting crops including beets, green beans, and pumpkins until the risk has decreased. If you cannot delay planting, promote faster germination by planting seeds as shallowly as agronomically possible. More management options can be found here.  
• Cabbage maggot peak egg laying is now occurring in central and northern WI. Cabbage maggots overwinter as larvae in the top several inches of soil. Treatment is primarily preventative. When possible, till in cover crops 2 to 3 weeks before planting to reduce attractiveness. If possible, delay planting to avoid peak activity. Floating row covers are also a good option during peak activity. To monitor activity in your area, use the Vegetable Disease and Insect Forecasting Network.  
• Black cutworm moths continue to migrate into WI with trap catches reported by DATCP. Check the DATCP trap catch maps for counts in your area. Black cutworm larvae feed on newly emerged crops and prefer direct seeded crops over transplants. Many crops are susceptible to damage including beets, carrots, cucumber, leafy greens, sweet corn and squash. Management options include weed management as females prefer to lay eggs in weedy areas and avoiding the use of green manure in areas where cutworms tend to be a problem. For chemical control to be effective, early detection is key. If chemical treatment is necessary, begin treating at the first signs of cutting and repeat every 7 days until 1000 degree days are reached.  

Temperature Trends

7 Day Temperatures

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Average Temperature (°F)” with date range “May 26, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is shown with county boundaries and labeled cities.

A color scale ranges from 50°F (green) to 75°F (yellow/orange). Most of the state is shaded light yellow, indicating average temperatures around 65–70°F. Southwestern and western Wisconsin show warmer values (deeper yellow/orange), generally about 70–75°F. Northern and northeastern Wisconsin, including near Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, show cooler temperatures (green to light yellow), about 55–63°F. Central Wisconsin falls mostly in the mid‑60s to near 70°F.

Footer text reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:52:50 EDT,” with credit to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991–2020 Normals” with date range “May 26, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is shown with county boundaries and labeled cities.

A color scale ranges from −3°F (green) to +12°F (pink). Nearly all of Wisconsin is shaded in orange to brown tones, indicating above-normal temperatures. Most areas fall roughly in the +4 to +9°F range. Western and northwestern Wisconsin show the largest positive departures (dark brown to pink), about +8 to +12°F above normal. Central and southern Wisconsin are mostly +5 to +8°F above normal. Eastern Wisconsin near Lake Michigan shows slightly smaller departures (lighter orange/tan), generally around +3 to +6°F above normal. No widespread below-normal areas are present.

Footer text reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:53:06 EDT,” with credit to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

• Average temperatures ranged from 70-75°F along the Mississippi River to 55-60°F along Lake Superior. 
• Temperatures were 4-8°F above normal across most of the state, with areas of 10°F or more above normal in the northwest. 

30 Day Temperatures

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Average Temperature (°F)” with date range “May 03, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is shown with county boundaries and labeled cities.

A color scale at the bottom ranges from 45°F (dark green) to 65°F (light yellow). Most of Wisconsin is shaded green to light green, indicating average temperatures around 50–60°F. Northern Wisconsin, especially near Lake Superior, shows cooler values (darker green), generally about 45–55°F. Central Wisconsin falls mainly in the mid‑50s. Southern Wisconsin, including areas near Madison and toward the Illinois border, shows warmer values (lighter green to yellow), typically about 58–65°F.

Text at bottom reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:54:06 EDT,” with credit to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991–2020 Normals” with date range “May 03, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is displayed with county boundaries and labeled cities.

A color scale ranges from −6°F (dark green) through 0°F (white/gray) to +3°F (tan/orange). Most of Wisconsin appears near normal (white to light gray, around −1 to +1°F). Northern Wisconsin and areas near Lake Superior show cooler-than-normal temperatures (green shades, roughly −2 to −5°F). Southwestern Wisconsin and parts of the west show warmer-than-normal departures (tan/orange, about +1 to +3°F).

Central and eastern Wisconsin, including Madison and Milwaukee, are mostly near normal with scattered small patches of slight warming or cooling. No large areas exceed ±3°F departure.

Footer text reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:53:47 EDT,” credited to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F)

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Accumulated Growing Degree Days (50°F)” with date range “May 01, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is shown with county boundaries and labeled cities.

A color scale ranges from about 40 GDD (purple/blue) to 420 GDD (orange/red). Northern Wisconsin, especially near Lake Superior, shows the lowest values (blue to teal, roughly 80–200 GDD). Central Wisconsin shows moderate accumulations (green shades, about 200–300 GDD). Southern Wisconsin, including areas near Madison and toward the Illinois border, shows the highest totals (yellow to red, about 300–420 GDD), with the highest concentrations in southwestern counties. Eastern areas near Lake Michigan show moderate values (green to yellow, about 220–320 GDD).

The map includes “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:51:36 EDT,” credited to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Accumulated Growing Degree Days (50°F)” with date range “May 15, 2026 to June 01, 2026.” Wisconsin is shown with county boundaries and labeled cities including Eau Claire, Madison, Green Bay, and Milwaukee.

A color scale ranges from about 40 GDD (purple/blue) to 330 GDD (red). Northern Wisconsin, especially near Lake Superior, shows the lowest totals (blue shades), generally about 70–150 GDD. Central Wisconsin transitions to green shades, representing about 150–230 GDD. Southern Wisconsin, including Madison and toward the Illinois border, shows higher accumulations (yellow to orange), about 230–300 GDD. The highest values appear in southwestern Wisconsin (orange to red), reaching roughly 300–330 GDD. Eastern Wisconsin near Lake Michigan shows moderate values (green to yellow), roughly 180–260 GDD.

Footer text reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:52:23 EDT,” credited to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

• Starting May 1 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 360 GDD in the far south and west to 110 GDD in the far north. These values are near to normal. 
• Starting May 15 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 300 GDD in the far south and west to 90 GDD in the far north. These values are 130-140% of normal. 

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Crop Progress and Condition

Crop Progress Report for Wisconsin for the Week Ending on May 31^st

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Corn Progress – Percent Emerged” with date “May 31, 2026,” produced by USDA. The U.S. map highlights major corn states with percentages and bracketed changes from the 5‑year average.

Key state values include:

• Wisconsin: 65% emerged [−1]
• Minnesota: 82% [+8]
• Iowa: 87% [+4]
• Illinois: 80% [−1]
• Indiana: 70% [0]
• Ohio: 57% [−4]
• Michigan: 56% [−6]
• Kentucky: 94% [+9]
• Tennessee: 94% [+9]
• Missouri: 90% [+19]
• Texas: 90% [+2]
• North Dakota: 52% [+12]
• South Dakota: 78% [+8]
• Nebraska: 79% [−3]
• Kansas: 67% [−3]
• Pennsylvania: 36% [−8]

Color shading reflects difference from the 5‑year average, from green (above average) to orange/red (below average). Much of the western Corn Belt (ND, SD, MN, MO, KY, TN) is above average (greens). Parts of the eastern Corn Belt and Great Lakes (WI, MI, OH, PA) show below or near average (tan/orange).

A summary box reads:
“National Progress – Emerged: 76; Change from 5‑year Average: +2.”

Legend shows difference categories from “40% or more” (dark green) to “−40% or less” (dark red). Footer notes USDA NASS data source.

Image Description ↓

Map titled “Soybeans Progress – Percent Emerged” with date “May 31, 2026,” from the USDA. The U.S. map highlights major soybean-producing states with percent emerged values and bracketed differences from the 5‑year average.

Key state values include:

• Wisconsin: 59% emerged [+8]
• Minnesota: 67% [+11]
• Iowa: 74% [+7]
• Illinois: 75% [+7]
• Indiana: 65% [+4]
• Ohio: 52% [+2]
• Michigan: 49% [−3]
• Missouri: 67% [+19]
• Kentucky: 78% [+27]
• Tennessee: 78% [+27]
• Arkansas: 87% [+5]
• Louisiana: 94% [+11]
• North Dakota: 31% [+8]
• South Dakota: 55% [+10]
• Nebraska: 72% [+4]
• Kansas: 57% [+12]
• Texas: 90% [+14]
• North Carolina: 73% [+17]

Color shading indicates difference from the 5‑year average, ranging from green (above average) to orange (below average). Most states are green, indicating above-average emergence. Michigan is slightly below average.

A summary box states: “National Progress – Emerged: 65; Change from 5‑year Average: +8.” A legend on the right shows difference categories from “40% or more” (dark green) to “−40% or less” (dark red). Footer notes USDA NASS data source.

• Wisconsin had 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork statewide, thanks to warm and dry conditions. 
• Corn planting is at 93% complete and is 65% emerged. 
• Soybean planting is at 89% complete and are 59% emerged. 
• Corn condition is 79% good to excellent, and soybeans are at 80% good to excellent. 
• Oat planting is 95% complete, with emergence at 74% complete.  
• Pasture and range were rated 58% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from last week. 
• Winter wheat is rated 66% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week. Winter wheat is 26% headed. 
• The first cutting of alfalfa is 38% complete.  
• Read the full USDA report. 

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