Isaac could bring drought relief for some

Drenching rain from Tropical Storm Isaac may reach and relieve some needy drought areas in the Plains and Midwest into the weekend, AccuWeather.com says. Areas of Arkansas, Missouri and other central states could soon be on the receiving end of significant downpours, the forecasters said, and some beneficial rain will fall on parched landscapes hundreds, if not a thousand, miles away from the Gulf Coast. However, while Isaac could bring relief to some, it could easily bypass other areas, AccuWeather.com Agricultural Meteorologist Dale Mohler said. "Don't get your hopes up yet," he said. Cities likely to receive some rainfall as Isaac moves north include Shreveport, La.; Little Rock, Ark.; Tulsa, Okla., Chanute, Kan.; Memphis and St. Louis. While any drought relief is coming far too late for this summer's crops, such as corn and soybeans, there is the potential rain could reach far enough westward to benefit some of the upcoming winter wheat crop, Mohler said. "The wheat over the central and southern Plains is generally planted during September, and replenishing soil moisture prior to planting after summer drought is essential for any new crop."