The past week continued the dry conditions across much of the state with one key exception, southwestern North Dakota where several locations recorded well over 1 inch of rain during the week.
Part of that rain fell across south central North Dakota that last week was listed as abnormally dry (D0 drought). That was the first time since spring that any part of North Dakota was listed as having dry enough conditions to warrant listing in the Drought Monitor. So clearly the rainfall in that area was beneficial, as it was in much of southwestern North Dakota as well.
Temperatures last week were below average. Many of the NDAWN stations recorded average temperatures 1 to 3 degrees below climatological normals.
With cool temperatures dominating the region, Growing Degree Days (GDDs) also grew at a slower than normal pace last week. Corn GDDs grew by just 100 units last week and
wheat by 150 to 200 units during that 7 day stretch.
Total GDDs for each crop’s season are presented below:
Daryl Ritchison