Last autumn much of Ohio was drier than normal. Ohio saw anywhere from 60-100% of normal rainfall except far southern Ohio which was hit by the remnants of Hurricane Helene allowing for rainfall of 100-125% of normal. See Figure 1.
During the winter, we did see a slight wetting across most of Ohio except in northwest Ohio. Precipitation was generally 95-110% of normal. This allowed for drought improvement across most of the state except far northwest Ohio where precipitation was 75-95% of normal. Hence, some drought lingers in the far northwest part of the state. See Figure 2.
The weather pattern since autumn has been a rotating pattern of 2-4 weeks of warm and wet followed by 2-4 weeks of cold and dry. This rotating pattern is likely to persist into our spring planting season. The temperature forecast calls for temperatures slightly warmer than normal (0-+2F). However, there will be a lot of swings in those temperatures on a 2-4 week basis. Precipitation will also see wild variably swings from dry to wet to dry averaging zero to +1 inches above normal through May. The last freeze this year is anticipated to be about normal in the second half of April to about the first of May.
We also expect a windy March and early April before winds return to near normal conditions from middle April to May.
Since the oceans are returning to normal conditions, we expect a highly variable spring averaging not that far from normal through May. Hence, we do not see an early planting season or a really late planting season. Expect a fairly typical on-time planting season. There should be opportunities to plant in the quieter periods of the variable cycle as long as you take advantage of those opportunities.
In the short term, we will see a parade of storms the next 2-3 weeks with a gradual wetter period and wild swings in temperatures from below normal to above normal and back and forth. Temperatures the first half of next week will at least reach into the 60s in much of the state.
A quick look to summer indicates possibly a drier June followed by a normal to slightly wetter July/August and temperatures leaning above normal.
In summary, a slightly warmer and wetter spring is forecast followed by a slightly warmer summer with near normal rainfall but a highly variable summer rainfall pattern. Expect more variability this year over last year (lots of swings).