Weather
For the past week, a ridge in the jet stream brought a three-to-four-day heatwave with muggy dewpoints. To put it in perspective, our overnight lows were close to normal highs for the time of year. Heatwaves like this do happen about once every two to three years, but most of them happen later in July, August and September. This heatwave also coincided with the strongest sun of the season. Precipitation was heavy in southeast lower Michigan with up to 3 inches but sparser in other spots, especially southwest Michigan. Overall, degree day totals are close to normal for most of the state.
This week’s forecast calls for:
- Scattered showers and thundershowers statewide Wednesday evening (June 25) continuing Thursday and Friday. Partly sunny and warm Saturday. Rain possible once again Sunday and Monday.
- Precipitation totals of up to 2 inches in the Upper Peninsula ranging to a half-inch or less in southwest Michigan.
- High temperatures from the mid-70s north to mid-80s south Wednesday, warming to the upper 70s north to upper 80s south Thursday through this weekend. Lows from the mid-50s north to upper 60s south Thursday, warming into the 60s Friday through the weekend.
- Medium range outlooks call for an active storm track across the region, with near to above normal temperatures and rainfall.
- New long-lead outlooks for July and the July-September period are similar and call for near to above normal temperatures and precipitation totals.
Extreme heat for plants and people
Check out the below helpful resources.
Crop updates
Asparagus
Weed control is a focus as fields are shut down this week in west central Michigan. How do you choose herbicides? The best bet is to check with a knowledgeable practitioner; their wins and failures will help you succeed. Talk with them about rates for your soil and crop safety of any new tank-mix combination you use. The following covers some background knowledge. After a final harvest, growers apply a mix of burndown and preemergent herbicides.
Source : msu.edu