Ohio Valley experiences storms and severe weather
The week of July 4th, the Ohio Valley experienced straight-line winds approaching 90 mph with small amounts of rain. This storm system created long-term power outages across the Ohio Valley - down trees, damage to homes, reports of 60 deaths due to the storm and lack of electricity during the heat. The Springfield CC located West of Columbus, Ohio had 30 uprooted trees due to the high winds.
The sales territory has experienced similar weather conditions compared to many parts of other territories. The National Weather Service reported 62% of the United States is in a moderated to severe/extreme drought mode. This drought condition has happened very rapidly due to the extreme heat & lack of rainfall. Many parts of the territory went into the spring of 2012 with some good levels of reserve moisture.
High temperatures and little rain
The Ohio Valley has had 21 days in succession of 90 degree plus temps and 5 days in succession of triple digit temps with night-time temps in the 80’s. Much of the Ohio Valley has had either zero or less than one-half inch of rainfall over the last 6 weeks. The last few days we have experienced some relief in temperature & humidity but the heat & humidity is coming back this week-end and into next week.
In Northern Michigan (Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City & other cities), temps are in the high 80’s and 90’s which is not normal for this geography. Poa annua is having a hard time in this heat; the poa annua in Northern Michigan is not adapted for these temps and dry conditions.
Disease pressures to watch
If you happen to be in an area that has received some isolated showers, there is some disease present. Dollar spot moves in for a few days and then becomes pretty much a non-issue. There are some areas that have experienced high levels of dollar spot but this has not been a general trend.
There are some diseases to manage such as Anthracnose, some of the Rhizoctonia diseases, dollar spot, brown patch & others.
Golf Courses are spraying preventively and starting to apply preventive pythium foliar blight fungicides due to the extreme heat & possibility for some isolated thunderstorms.
Posted at 9:02 am
About the Author
Jerry Husemann
Jerry Husemann is a senior sales specialist for BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals and is based in Maplewood, Ohio.
