The weather continues to be favorable for the majority of the state as mainly dry conditions prevail. While heat continues early this week, cooler and moister conditions are expected in the coming days and beyond. With the majority of planting completed, these conditions will be welcomed as the prime growing season comes into full swing.
Looking over the past week we experienced dry conditions along with temperatures well above normal for late May. Temperatures soared into the double digits above normal while we also experienced the humid air from the Gulf region. The only notable precipitation came in the form of isolated, albeit heavy convection causing problems for a few, while leaving most others below normal in the moisture department.
As our pattern shifts later this week from flow with a southerly component to one with a northerly one, the temperatures along with the humidity will be on the downhill. Weather systems look to ride along the steering flow which we anticipate will provide near normal precipitation for the later half of this week and into next. Looking at the 16 day rain outlook from the NOAA/NWS Ohio River Forecast Center we can see the more consistent and near normal rainfall pattern we can expect over the next couple of weeks. Moving to the middle of June we will see temperatures swing back to near normal or slightly above while precipitation is expected to remain near normal. July looks to continue the above normal temperature trend along with precipitation remaining near normal.
Looking at the anticipated conditions, the initiation of the growing season looks promising for the entire state. Very heavy rain from convection along with hazards from severe weather look low as we transition to a more stable northwesterly flow pattern. In the anticipated flow pattern, more consistent and less intense rainfall will be expected. The main concern with the upcoming pattern will be finding the multi-day window necessary for the hay cutting process. Overall, the agriculture industry will welcome the upcoming pattern as we move into the front half of June.