Spring is in full swing. Expect big swings in weather the next several weeks.
Remainder of March Outlook:
- Expect overall colder than normal with precipitation above normal
April Outlook:
- Near normal temperatures and slightly wetter than normal
May-July Outlook:
- Slightly warmer than normal and normal to slightly drier than normal
The climate models continue to point toward wetness giving way to some dryness as we go from planting season to summer growing season.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/people/wwang/cfsv2fcst/htmls/usPrece3Mon.html
The climate models continue to point toward a trend from cooler than normal to warmer than normal as we head from spring into summer.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/people/wwang/cfsv2fcst/htmls/usT2me3Mon.html
- Rain risk - Risk for rain favors slightly elevated risk for wetter versus drier weather into April. Some planting delays are possible if wet weather lingers through April.
- Frost/freeze risk - Near normal last dates of frost and freezes in mid or late April
- Temperature risk - Risk remains toward colder side of normal into early April
- Soil Moisture Risk - Soil moisture remains slightly drier than normal in northern and northwest Ohio and normal in southern Ohio. Expect no changes to slight wetting in the coming weeks. Monitor soil moisture here:
- Soil Temperature Risk - 4 inch soil temperatures are below normal and likely to remain below normal the next few weeks. Since soils are not as wet as they were in 2014, we expect soil temperatures to recover faster this spring in response to air temperatures. This still could delay planting some.
- Drought Risk - No drought is forecast at this time.