News

More than 60% of Michigan abnormally dry

Michigan saw a mostly warm and dry month.

The USDA says 62% of Michigan fell into the abnormally dry or worse category for February, including 31% experiencing moderate drought and 3% seeing severe drought, with the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula in the worst shape.

The average statewide temperature was just under freezing, still nearly ten degrees warmer than normal, with little to no snow cover in some areas, leaving crops vulnerable to a late freeze.

57% of Michigan’s winter wheat crop is in good to excellent condition, 5% more than at the end of January.

There are reports of some 2023 corn and soybeans that still need to be harvested and maple sap is running, one of the earliest starts to that season in memory.

The USDA’s weekly crop progress and condition reports resume in April.