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-- May 8, 2003: Well, the drought situation has mellowed
although we are still below normal for the year. It would
figure that the day I put out a drought report that northern
Illinois would receive on average 2-2.5 inches of rain.
(see map
of current drought situation below).
As we all know , rain has been in very short supply in
Chicagoland & northern Illinois for quite a long time.
But just how bad has it been? We will end the month of April
with just over an inch of rain in most areas, making only
around 3 inches of rain for the entire year . This is about
5 inches below normal. At this time last year, we were only
2 inches below normal
Northern Illinois University meterologist Gilbert Sebenste
reports DeKalb county is experiencing its 2nd driest 8 month
period ( September 1 - April 30) ever !! Assuming they get
no major rainfall tonight, Dekalb will wind up with 8.32"
of rain/liquid equivalent during this period. The old record
was 8.30" set back in 1933-1934, which some of you
may know as one of the hottest and driest years on record.
The third least rainfall during the 8 month period was 11.23"
set back in 1976-1977. Since there is no chance that 3 inches
of rain will fall tonight, then it will remain the 2nd driest
ever. In addition, northwest Illinois, as a region, just
broke the record for having the driest last 4 months ever!!
These dry conditions have caused several brush fires over
the past few days in Chicagoland, some of which have gotten
out of control . A fire at Illinois Beach State Park burned
over 700 acres of dry buckthorn and cattails. This fire,
although large and not started intentionally, was considered
an ecological blessing, allowing native species to rehabitate
the area. Here at Midwest Golf House, we burned a few small
areas of cattails and other brush in a similar ecological
endeavor (see
pictures below).
On the plus side, disease incidence has been less than
normal due to the lack of moisture. Hopefully this will
push some fungicide applications back later into in the
season, and some savings may be realized in that area. On
the bad side though, we have seen in some areas the adverse
impact this dry winter has had on Poa annua, (see
USGA article), and we may see increased heat
and moisture stress this spring and summer if the current
pattern doesn't change. Also, some superintendents who are
on dwindling water supplies are already worried about the
length of this drought and its potential impact.
Luckily though, the forecasts have a good amount of rain
possible for the next few days, (see some clouds building
as I type) which should improve our drought situation (see
drought outlook map below). Hopefully this
trend will continue, and I can knock the 'drought attack'
from off the pest bulletins.
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