Weather and climate conditions this month in Wisconsin
Here are this month’s take-home points about the weather. As a reminder, AgWOW reports will be published monthly until spring. Scroll down for the full downloadable report.
One-Month Conditions
- Temperatures were 1-5°F above normal in Nov for western WI and near normal for eastern WI.
- Precipitation totals were 2” or less across most of WI, which is low for this time of year.
- Snowfall totals were greatly above normal for most of southern and northern WI, with totals generally greater than 10”. Snowfall fell short from north-central to northeastern WI, with totals of 3-7.5”.
Impact
- Soil moisture levels at 4” depth showed little change across UW research farm stations (Wisconet), with satellite-based products indicating that the northwest and east remain the driest areas of the state in the top 1 meter of soil.
- Frost depth is starting to be reported in the top 4” of soil.
- Chilling hours for Wisconsin’s perennial fruits have not been recorded yet.
- Drought expanded over the past month, with a >20% increase in D1 coverage and the expansion of D2 in northeast WI.
Outlook
- Precip over the next 7 days will fall as snow, with most in WI expected to get a quarter to a half inch (liquid equivalent of melted snow).
- Climate probabilities for Mid-December indicate a stronger lean (50-60% odds) towards below normal temps, with a slight lean towards above normal precip for most.
- The outlook for December shows a lean toward below-normal temperatures. Uncertainty for precipitation for southern to central WI, but the potential for above-normal precipitation for northern WI.
- The winter outlook indicates a statewide potential for below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation.
Agronomic and Vegetable considerations
- Field Conditions
- Snow cover is providing insulation for winter wheat and overwintering cover crops. Upon melting, the snow will help mitigate some dry conditions.
- Manure Applications
- Reminder of Wisconsin’s NR 151 Runoff Rules with the timing of manure spreading and current runoff levels. Check DATCP Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast.
- High Tunnel Pests
- Aphids are a common pest on winter greens. The common species in high tunnels- green peach aphid, potato aphid, and fox glove aphid– are able to survive temperatures as low as 5°F. Management options include the release of lady beetles and green lacewings under row covers, insecticides either alone or in combination with beneficial insects, and weed management to reduce alternative hosts.
- Be on the lookout for winter cutworms feeding on your winter greens and overwintered crops. These cutworms are very cold hardy and can be found actively feeding anytime the temperature is above freezing. Damage often resembles foliar feeding by other caterpillars leaving holes in leaves although they can also clip plants at the base of the stem. If you would like to learn more about this pest and management options, listen to this 30-minute webinar from UNH.
If you would like to obtain a PowerPoint copy of this report, please email anastasia.kurth@wisc.edu.