Tornadoes in Christian County caused flattened corn and damage to trees and homes.

Freese-Notis meteorologist will have better first freeze prediction in late August.

Scattered rains overnight brought little relief for crops.

Dryness concerns continue to intensify into August.

Cooler weather expected during the first week of August but heat will return later in the month.

One-fifth of topsoil moisture rated short or very short across Illinois this week, according to National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Looking ahead, the heat and the rain return in forecast.