Weekly weather update for professional turf managers from Frank Rossi:
Temp & GDD
This week makes it one full month of above normal temperatures this summer. Warmest inland and north at 2-4 degrees F above, slightly cooler along the coast. Persistent and widespread heat stress continued for the fourth straight week and 6 out of last 8 weeks! Soil temp slightly cooled from last weeks 80’s. Mid 70’s along Great Lakes and Coast. Upper 60’s to low 70’s inland and higher elevations. Rainfall in these areas has helped.
Moisture
The spotty rainfall pattern continued for a fourth week with heavy downpours, small drizzles and complete misses! Extreme east coast, CNY and Western NY big losers. <0.25”. Big winners: Northern NJ, Western New England, CT and MA >2” to as much as 6”+! ET was slightly lower with cloudy weather at 0.75-1”. Much of WNY, MA and Eastern Long Island in severe drought.
Forecast
After a small front moves through over the weekend and brings some steamy weather followed by some cooling and expect a return to normal temps for the week. Late week brings higher temps. Little to no rain expected this week but longer term looking wetter-8-14d.
For more turf-related weather info and decision-making tools, visit the ForeCast website.
