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Spring 2024 Weather & Soil Conditions: Update 6

rain

Soil Temperatures and Moisture

A warm stretch of weather, with temperatures over the last 30 days averaging 3-6°F above normal, have resulted in daily average near surface soil temperatures in the mid to upper 60s for the bulk of Ohio (Figure 1). Forecast trends should help maintain mild soil temperatures throughout the week, with a slight drop over the weekend as cooler air moves in for Mother’s Day.

Figure 1: Daily average air temperature (dashed red), two-inch (green) and four-inch (blue) soil temperatures for spring 2024. Soil type and location of measurements (under sod or bare soil) are provided in the lower right corner of each panel. A map of all locations is in the bottom right. Data provided by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Agricultural Research Stations located throughout the state.

Precipitation totals between 0.5” and 1” were common last week, with pockets of much heavier rain across western and southern counties (Figure 2). With slightly below average precpitation over the last 30 days, eastern and southern counties show soil conditions that are a bit on the dry side, but conditions are in generally in good shape across much of Ohio.

Figure 2: (Top) Precipitation (inches) for the 7-day period ending May 6, 2024 courtesy of the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. (Bottom)  NLDAS Soil Moisture Percentile from the ensemble model as of May 1, 2024 according to the NOAA.

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/.

Weather Forecast

A frontal boundary south of the Ohio River on Monday, will lift north across the region on Tuesday brining multple rounds of showers and storms. Additional rounds are likely Wednesday afternoon and evening. Some of the storms may be severe on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs generally in the mid 70s to mid 80s. Another cold front will move in for Thursday and Friday brining additional rounds of showers and storms. Cooler air will filter in as well, with highs on Thursday in the 70s, dropping into the 60s for Friday through the weekend. Scattered showers and overall damp conditions may linger through Sunday as well. The Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting 0.75-2.00” of precipitation over the next 7 days, with the heavier amounts close to the Ohio River (Figure 3).

 Figure 3). Precipitation forecast from the Weather Prediction Center for 8pm Monday May 6,  – 8pm Monday May 13, 2024.

The 6-10 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center show near normal temperatures and precipitation (Figure 4). Climate averages include a high-temperature range of 70-75°F, a low-temperature range of 48-53°F, and weekly total precipitation of 0.90-1.20”.

Figure 4) Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Outlook valid for May 12 – 16, 2024, for left) temperatures and right) precipitation. Colors represent the probability of below, normal, or above normal conditions.

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.

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