Weekly weather update for professional turf managers from Frank Rossi:
Temp & GDD
Nine weeks above normal temperatures with this week @2 above normal . Heat stress widespread and unusual GDD accumulation for this time of year continues to push the growing season longer than normal. Soils still warm at 2” depth in the upper 60’s and 70’s. August was the warmest in the Northeast in 122 years of recordkeeping by NOAA.
Moisture
Another unusually dry week with many receiving no measurable rainfall. The total northeast has seen a slight drop in area under drought, however the area amounts for many of the most severe levels of drought are increasing. ET this past week was 0.75-1.25” in some places. Very high for this time of season.
Forecast
Following an extremely warm weekend where temps soared to 20 degrees F above normal only to barely make it to the 70’s one day later. Expect more seasonable but still warm weather. Not much reliable widespread rain expected so expect dry conditions and high ET for next 8-14d. Disease risk,especially typical for Fall Dollar Spot expected to be low.
For more turf-related weather info and decision-making tools, visit the ForeCast website.
