Drought conditions ease in Rock County
JANESVILLE--In case you need a silver lining to brighten your Monday morning, here it is:
Snowfall so far in February has been above average. Because of this, drought conditions in south-central Wisconsin this month improved from “severe” to “moderate,” according to U.S. Drought Monitor data.
That change is a ray of hope for farmers who saw big losses last year as a result of the drought conditions, said Jim Stute, UW Extension crops and soils agent in Rock County.
Also in the “seems -like-bad-news-but-really-it’s-good” category are the below-average temperatures for February. If conditions hold, there should be fewer insect pests in Rock County gardens and farm fields this summer, Stute said.
As of Friday, the National Weather Service measured 15.3 inches of snow in southern Rock County in February, meteorologist Ed Townsend said. The average snowfall for February is 6.3 inches, Townsend said.
“What it does is erases some of the long-term (moisture) deficit,” Stute said.
For a full story, read Monday’s Gazette, read online in the Gazette’s E-Edition or check back at GazetteXtra.com.
Feb 25, 2013 at 1:20 p.m.
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agreed, dwight...btw..are you a UWW grad? just askin'
Feb 25, 2013 at 12:46 p.m.
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No one said we wouldn't still be in a drought after the snow melted, but the positive effects of having above average winter precipitation can't be understated. Don't forget, we also received a couple of significant rainfalls during the warmups between snow events - greater than 3" combined.
Feb 25, 2013 at 12:42 p.m.
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dwight-I realize how the hydrologic system works, and I don't discount the evaporative processes at work right now...which seem to be greater than meltwater runoff at this time...I would bet less than 1/2 of the snow we get even makes it to the shallow groundwater supply...our systems are deficient enough that when it warms up, that even with all the snow we have right now, we'll still be in a moderate drought...
Feb 25, 2013 at 12:20 p.m.
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vnvet7071 - Since you love commenting on everything I say all the time, stop in sometime i'll supersize your order for free.
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Feb 25, 2013 at 11:26 a.m.
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The comments on these articles are always so much better than the actual articles. Only in Wisconsin can someone argue about drought conditions....
Feb 25, 2013 at 11:08 a.m.
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This snow only does the drought good if it makes it to the groundwater? As the snow melts it percolates into the soil - yes, even with the frozen ground, what doesn't melt largely runs off off and helps recharge lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and as stated below, is a great asset to the growth of winter wheat. Rates of evaporation during the winter also tend to be significantly lower than during the summer. The US Drought Monitor doesn't just take into account the amount of precipitation we've received, it takes into accounts soil moisture, stream flow, other drought indicators.
Feb 25, 2013 at 10:08 a.m.
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Sigma was probably dreaming about the potatoes he has to fry at McDonalds.
Feb 25, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.
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all this snow only does the drought good if it makes it to the groundwater...a lot of this will evaporate away in these warm spells between snowfalls, and be deposited somewhere else...
Feb 25, 2013 at 9:13 a.m.
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Apparently you have never read sigmas comments before
Feb 25, 2013 at 9:04 a.m.
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I am sure he is refering to winter wheat that needs this moisture to kick in gear again as soon as it warms up. Last yr winter wheat took a hit with no moisture. So who is the dummies in the comments.
Feb 25, 2013 at 8:57 a.m.
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I think its great that our community gives computers to special needs people like Sigma40.
Feb 25, 2013 at 8:06 a.m.
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Sigma: Does stupid hurt?
Would you like an Advil?
Feb 25, 2013 at 7:21 a.m.
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This should really help al the crops that are currently growing.
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