(KNSI) – Severe drought returns to the southeast portion of Wright County, accounting for about 10 percent of the total land area. Another third is suffering from moderate drought, the mildest classification.
Thursday’s update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Stearns and Sherburne, along with about half of Benton County have become abnormally dry again, a pre-drought stage. The moisture deficit is not a bad thing in September as farmers need clear skies to harvest their crops.
Grain drydown rates are particularly important for corn. The earlier stalks are pulled from the ground, the quicker they reach the target moisture content. In mid-to-late September when the sun is still warm and there is a strong breeze, corn can dry up to 1% per day. By mid-October that has fallen to around a half percent.
The forecast for the next week includes a chance of showers and thunderstorms from 1:00 p.m. Friday until 4:00 a.m. Saturday. The rest of the time period is predicted to be dry with highs in the 60s, according to the National Weather Service.
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