A high-pressure ridge moving throughout the South and Midwest has brought record-breaking heat to much of the country. Accompanied by unprecedented flooding in Wyoming and devastating hail in Kansas, the recent extreme weather brought on by the high-pressure ridge has been more intense than usual.

When Texas experienced triple-digit heat, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey knew the ridge would be severe, potentially carrying devastating impacts on U.S. crops. Extreme heat in the south will negatively impact silking corn. High winds, heavy rains and hail have already damaged crops and livestock. Rippey says this past week’s high heat could lead to flash droughts in some regions of the country. Summer weather could continue to be impacted by the high ridge through late July, potentially putting more pressure on midwestern crop production.

Read more on the high-pressure ridge and this week’s weather here.