Scattered rain provided some relief to parts of the US Midwest on Wednesday, but most of the region is still experiencing the worst drought in fifty years. This has led to a bleak outlook for food supplies and prices worldwide. The US Agriculture Department predicts that food prices will increase more than other consumer costs through 2013 due to the drought destroying crops and reducing supplies. USDA economist Richard Volpe stated that the impact of the drought on food prices will be felt next year and will affect various sectors before reaching retail prices. The USDA projects a 2.5-3.5 percent increase in food prices in 2012 and a 3-4 percent increase in 2013. The USDA stated that food prices will increase at a faster rate than overall U.S. inflation, which is a change from the usual trend. Inflation in the U.S. is expected to be 2 percent this year and 1.9 percent in 2013. Food prices rose by 3.7 percent last year but only by 0.8 percent in 2010. The USDA also announced on Wednesday that an additional 76 counties have been added to the list of areas eligible for disaster aid, bringing the total to 1,369 counties in 31 states. The agency noted that two-thirds of the United States is currently experiencing mild or extreme drought conditions. Weather forecasters predict that the northern Corn Belt region from eastern Nebraska to northern Illinois will likely experience a second day of scattered rain after weeks of hot, dry weather. However, the southern Midwest, including Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, is expected to continue facing hot and dry conditions. National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Keeney stated that most of these areas require more than 10 inches of rain to alleviate the drought, but the upcoming front is forecasted to bring only 1/2 to 1 inch of rain, which will not be enough to significantly impact the drought situation. On Wednesday, the central and southern Midwest experienced temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with St. Louis reaching 101 F. Meteorologist Andy Karst from World Weather Inc. mentioned that the drought pattern remained unchanged, with thunderstorms shifting in the area. There are no predictions for significant rainfall until August 8. This forecast caused an increase in the Chicago Board of Trade grain markets, following a decrease in prices from the previous week's highs. Corn for September delivery closed 4-1/2 cents higher at $7.94-1/2 a bushel, compared to last week's record high of $8.28-3/4. August soybeans ended 45 cents higher at $16.94-1/4, compared to the previous week's record of $17.77-3/4. September wheat rose 24-1/2 cents at $9.03-1/4, compared to last week's 4-year high at $9.47-1/4. Markets worldwide are worried about the impact of high prices on local food costs, the lack of food aid for countries like China and Egypt, and the potential for food riots. The United States, a major exporter of corn, soybeans, and wheat, is facing significant losses in its corn crop due to drought conditions. Soybeans, while struggling, may be saved by forecasted rainfall. A recent poll suggests that US corn yields could reach a 10-year low, leading to the lowest harvest in six years. Extensive damage has been reflected in declining weekly crop reports from Corn Belt states, with losses comparable to the 1988 drought. Senior editor Bryce Knorr from Farm Futures Magazine stated that if these conditions persist, demand for corn will need to be rationed. In Putnam County, Indiana, crop scouts did not bother inspecting corn fields this week as it was clear that farmers would plow crops under instead of harvesting. Scouts in central Illinois reported on Wednesday that some corn fields were in better condition than expected due to early planting and pollination after a warm winter and spring. Tom Womack from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture mentioned that recent rains had improved soybean prospects, but he stated that the damage to the corn crop was irreversible and no amount of rainfall could help recover the losses. Ohio Governor John Kasich signed an order permitting farmers to harvest hay for their livestock from grass along highways near their land. Fire risks were increasing in parts of the Plains, with firefighters and the National Guard fighting wildfires that have burned over 60,000 acres in three north-central Nebraska counties in the past week. Helicopters were used to drop water on wildfires caused by lightning in the Niobrara River Valley on Wednesday. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman stated that progress is being made, but ongoing support is necessary. In Missouri, where it is one of the driest states in the nation, the highway patrol warned of dangerous driving conditions due to smoke from grass and brush fires, with discarded cigarettes being a contributing factor. Throughout the Midwest, water use for gardens and lawns was limited in cities and towns, and efforts were made to save stressed trees with drip bags. Reservoir and river levels are currently low and being closely monitored, leading to restrictions on barge movements along the Mississippi River and recreational boating. The U.S. drought has been attributed to the El Nino phenomenon in the western Pacific Ocean, which causes a warming of sea temperatures affecting the global atmosphere and preventing moisture from reaching the U.S. Midwest breadbasket. Scientists are warning that this year's drought, the worst since 1956, may be connected to climate factors that could have even more severe consequences in the future. The Midwest has experienced an increase in dangerously hot summer days over the past 60 years, and the region is expected to face more potentially deadly weather as the climate continues to warm, according to a report released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (USC) on Wednesday. The report examined weather patterns in several cities including Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, as well as smaller cities like Peoria, Illinois, and Toledo, Ohio. It revealed that hot, humid days have become more frequent in the Midwest since the 1940s and 1950s, while hot, dry days have also intensified. The study showed that finding respite from the heat has become harder, as all the cities observed have experienced a decrease in cool, dry days during the summer and higher nighttime temperatures. Steve Frenkel, director of UCS's Midwest office, emphasized the importance of nighttime cooling, especially for those without air conditioning, as high nighttime temperatures can lead to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. In July 1995, over 700 deaths in Chicago were linked to a heat wave. A report predicts that with increasingly extreme summer temperatures, annual deaths in Chicago could increase from 143 in the 2020s to 300 in the 2090s.