Lambton County farmers are keeping a watchful eye on the sky, hoping to see some moisture.
Lambton Federation of Agriculture Grains Committee Chair Kevin Marriott says rain is badly needed for both the soybean and corn crops.
"Hopefully what's in the forecast this week materializes," he says. "If it doesn't, then it looks like there's no rain next week which would really be into the extreme and serious category."
Crops in Chatham-Kent have reached the critical stage because of drought-like conditions.
Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson says the passage of a cold front overnight and Friday will trigger showers and thunderstorms.
He says it's doubtful, however, there'll be sufficient rain to address the needs of farmers.
"It could be fairly spotty, the other concern is that we can get a real burst of precipitation with the passage of the front but that may not allow the rain to actually soak in," says Coulson. "Given how hard the ground is in many areas, if we do get a lot of rain falling in a short period of time most of it will run off before it has a chance to soak in and be beneficial to the root systems of the crops."
Coulson says the next real chance of shower activity isn't until next Thursday and it could be spotty in nature again.
He says some longer term forecasts suggest there may be more precipitation after mid-July.
-With files from Dave Dentinger
