Drought concerns will deepen with the current weather outlook indicating an extended dry period continuing this week in east-central Ohio.
Current computer modeling suggests very little, if any, opportunities for rain this week across the region. If that indeed proves to be true, drought will likely deepen in our area. Last Thursday’s U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of the east-central Ohio region is officially classified as D1 – Moderate Drought.
Today’s computer models, as well as the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center (WPC), agree that rain prospects in the region will be pretty much nonexistent through Saturday.
Rainfall in August here was well below normal, with a total of only 0.32 inches for the month. Normally, we should have received 3.65 inches. And, we’re not doing much better in September either. We’ve only seen 0.21 inches of rain during this first week of the month.
The only hint of a rain potential in our area shows up on Sunday when some of the models indicate the potential of an upper-level disturbance dropping out of Canada. However, chances remain low (10% – 20%) for any impactful precipitation occurring out of this feature.
TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK
Temperatures this week are expected to run below average on Sunday and Monday before warming slightly above average by Wednesday. This is, of course, September, and the average daytime high temperature in our area decreases from 80° during the first week of the month to 71° on the 30th.
After next week, there is not much of a signal that would trend excessively warmer than average temperatures. However, guidance does trend precipitation falling well short of the climate average in our area.
FALL FOLIAGE OUTLOOK
If there is a positive we can take away from our current dry weather stretch, it’s the impact the lack of rain will have on the fall foliage outlook.
So far, the east-central Ohio region is well-positioned to experience much better color this season than last year. The wet spring and early summer, paired with a cooler and drier period during late August and now early September, are contributing factors in producing better-than-normal fall color. And, particularly since our area did experience a dry spell late in the summer, those peak colors may come a week or two early this year.
😢😢😢