The scurs once again are doubting the Weather Eye’s trustworthiness. Will that trust be renewed, or do we have to trust but verify? Starting Thursday, sunny with a modest chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-90’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Mostly sunny Friday with a modest chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80’s with lows in the low 60’s. Mostly sunny on Saturday with a modest chance of a daytime shower or thunderstorm. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the low 60’s. Sunday, mostly sunny with highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the low 60’s. Mostly sunny on Monday with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the low 60’s. Tuesday, partly sunny with a modest chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the low 60’s. Mostly sunny on Wednesday with a good chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. On the 30th we’ll see the sun rise at 6 a.m. CDT. The Full Moon for August occurs on the 1st. The normal high for August 1st is 81 and the normal high is 61. The scurs are thinking of applying for jobs at Flanders Ontario city hall. First, they have to find it.
As mentioned, August 1st ushers in the official Full Moon for the month although there will be a second or Blue Moon on August 30th. That happens about every three years, so you’ll be waiting a while for the next one. The Full Moon for August goes by the Full Sturgeon Moon, named for the large sturgeon that once inhabited the Great Lakes as well as Lake Champlain. The Ojibwe called this the Berry or Huckleberry Moon for the dark blue berries found on the huckleberry plant. The Sioux knew this as the Moon when Cherries Turn Black. At the ranch we know it as the Fair Moon for all the fairs, county and state level that happen during this timeframe. Yes indeed, summer’s not over but the end is coming rapidly.
Crops continue to progress but are in serious need of some moisture soon. Depending on whose forecasts one wants to believe it may or may not happen. The NOAA 6–10-day map released July 23rd looks promising. Better than even odds of above normal temps but also better than even chances of above normal precip. The 30-day outlook released July 20th is calling for better than equal chances for cooler than normal temperatures and even chances of above or below normal precipitation. If it comes to fruition, the cooler temperatures could buy more time for the earlier planted crop. It could be somewhat concerning for later planted corn in particular, especially if Jack Frost makes an early appearance. Have to do like my Dad did in 1974. Buy some beef heifers, borrow the neighbor’s corn binder, and make corn shocks. Fun for the whole family.
If we were to receive normal precipitation for August, would it be enough to get us to the finish line without a significant yield penalty? Depends a lot on how/when the precip is distributed of course. If it waits until the end of August and we suddenly receive the roughly 4.8” of precip that’s average, well, pretty sure you know the answer to that one. If it’s distributed more evenly throughout, then the odds increase of a crop that while nowhere in the planet with the past two years, is still respectable in light of all the bumps in the road. Of immediate concern is what the forecast heat and relatively light precip will do. It might not be pretty if substantial rains aren’t part of the equation soon. Just have to be lucky enough to be underneath some of this scattered precipitation that has been a hallmark of the growing season.
Having been away for a while in Canada, it’s always bittersweet when the last day rolls around. There have been many good times as always. Looking at the flora and fauna is a wonderful pastime, especially wondering if some of the hummingbirds and white-throated sparrows are the same ones we see in our backyard at the ranch. The weather was comfortable but wanted to be cloudy much of the time except the last day of course. Some of the same scattered rainfall that we seemed lucky enough to receive. No problem. Lessens the fire danger that has gripped parts of Canada most of the summer. Sunsets were fickle because of the clouds of course but guessing it still sets without us. Still an enjoyable time spent relaxing with friends, both American and Canadian. Can’t ask for more than a few late summer days off to exhale and recharge the batteries.
Looking forward to seeing Poppy and catching up with her once I return home. Sounds like she was a handful while I was gone. Wouldn’t have expected anything less. As we like to say due to her gnat-like attention span and selective hearing, it’s a good thing you’re cute. I should have more time to spend with her at least for a few weeks until the Pro Farmer Crop Tour starts of course. Leaving for that on August 19th. Summer is definitely coming down the homestretch. Has gone by in a flash, hasn’t it? It always does. We have short memories and wish it could last forever, especially during character-building months like January. A lot of us could do without that. We know plenty of characters. Don’t need to manufacture any more.
See you next week…real good then.