Weather perfection now; weirdly rainy Thursday ahead
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It just doesn't get any better than this.
Excellent drying conditions
Farmers in southwest Minnesota and near Mora are still dealing with waterlogged soils this week.
But our near wall-to-wall sunshine, low humidity, and dry breezes can suck about one-quarter inch of moisture per day from soils this time of year. Around a quarter of soils in Minnesota were still showing surplus moisture according to this weeks Minnesota crop report.
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Scattered rain and warm temperatures allowed for 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 15, 2018, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Portions of the state began to recover from flooded fields with crops showing signs of stress and some crops drowned out.
Field activities for the week included spraying and second cutting of hay.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 24 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus.
Forty-five percent of the corn crop was in the silking stage, 6 days ahead the five-year of average. Corn crop condition decreased slightly with a rating of 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 56 percent, 4 days ahead of average. Fifteen percent of soybeans were setting pods, 5 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.
Weird summer soaker Thursday
Our near-perfect weather lingers into Wednesday in most of Minnesota. Thursday's weather maker looks odd for summer, as a fall-like low-pressure system spins into Minnesota.
A big chunk of Minnesota looks likely to pick up 1- to 2-inch-plus rainfall totals Thursday.
Cool and comfy late July
The next two weeks appear to favor relatively a pleasant weather pattern across Minnesota.
Heat returns for August?
There are signs in the long range upper air pattern that heat may build north into Minnesota once again as August approaches.
Stay tuned.