Unfortunately, very little rain has been received since this event and the outlook is discouraging with minimal rainfall forecasted through the weekend. Increased temperatures are also becoming a factor with warmer days accelerating soil moisture loss and plant stress. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that 79 percent of the state has short to very short soil moisture. Only 21 percent of the state has adequate moisture. Precipitation over these next few weeks will be a key determining factor as to whether many crops will have normal yields this year.
Corn is particularly endangered.
The Forestry Commission records show that wildfire occurrence for June is already far above average. Firefighters say that wildfires will become increasingly difficult to control as soil moisture continues to drop. Wildfire can be especially devastating to timber resources when the weather is hot and dry. Forest managers say trees that are not killed outright by the fire become extremely susceptible to insect and disease attacks. The below normal rainfall has resulted in lower stream flow.