Figure 1 shows that two- and four-inch soil temperatures cooled over the past week in response to a more seasonally average weather pattern. Daily average soil temperatures are now running in the upper-40s to mid-50s across the region. A much colder pattern is expected to move into Ohio mid-week this week, with sub-freezing overnight temperatures and accumulating snow possible, especially across our northern stations. Slightly warmer, but below average conditions, will resume for the upcoming weekend.
Figure 2 (left) shows that precipitation was light across Ohio this week, below to much below average for the state. The heaviest totals (0.50-1.0”) fell across the southern and northeastern counties (light green). Although precipitation over the last couple of weeks has slowed the progress of drought conditions across northwest Ohio, much of the northern tier of the state remains abnormally dry over the last 30-90 days. The top 40 cm of the soil remains dry relative to historical conditions (red shading in Fig. 2 – right). As a result, the U.S. Drought Monitor continues to depict approximately 16% of the state with Moderate Drought conditions.
For more complete weather records for CFAES research stations, including temperature, precipitation, growing degree days, and other useful weather observations, please visit https://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weather1/.