Ag Weather Impacts

Ag Weather Impacts

The weather pattern over the Columbia Basin will be dominated by a ridge of high pressure this weekend resulting in mostly clear skies, light winds, and temperatures averaging about 10 to 13 degrees above normal. Early next week, the flow aloft becomes southwest and then southerly which will finally return moisture to the area. At this time, best chance for showers and maybe even a few thunderstorms looks to be Tuesday night, Wednesday and again Friday and Saturday. Long range forecast of Rainfall amounts are around ¼ inch or less, except heavier where thunderstorms may develop. It does look like this pattern change next week will continue into third full week of May also, so field work delays may start to add up. First cutting of hay will have excellent drying condition this weekend, but may be subject to some rain damage if not baled by Tuesday evening. Two inch soil temperatures are quite warm in the lower 60s to lower 70s, so good germination and early development is expected for warm season crops. Soils temperatures may dip into mainly the 60s late next week. Irrigators can expect crop water use between an inch and a quarter and inch and a half for the next 7 days, which is about 20 percent above normal for mid May. Spraying conditions will be favored with light winds most days through early Sunday. Growing degree days base 40 tallied since March 1, have caught up to near normal in most areas and are a week to 10 days ahead normal in the Moses Lake, Ellensburg and Yakima.
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