WILMINGTON — Close to an inch of rain fell at the Wilmington Air Park in the 24 hours between Sunday morning and Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. And the wet weather is expected to continue.
Monday night and into Tuesday morning saw a 50 percent chance of more showers and thunderstorms with a high around 80 degrees.
Tuesday, expect a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Due to the recent rainfall, the month of August is now a wetter-than-normal one, according to AccuWeather. However, rainfall for the year to date is 24.23 inches as of Monday, more than 3 inches under the normal year-to-date 27.55 inches.
Tony Nye, Ohio State University Extension educator, said that rain totals over the last 2 to 3 days have varied within Clinton County, with less rain in the Port William area and the areas near Greene County — which has been much drier this season than Clinton County — but upwards of 1.5 inches to around 3 inches south of State Route 28.
Even though not much rain has fallen this summer in Clinton County, the rain of the last few days, and any more rain, is always welcome.
“This rain is definitely helping tremendously,” Nye said. “We can use an inch every week as long as we’re still in the middle of growing season.”
“Damage to corn has already been done due to less rain earlier,” he said of the summer’s lack of rain combined with high temperatures, especially high nighttime temperatures. “But moisture helps with husk weight and kernel fill; with later corn, most have gone through pollination, but in some ways every bit of rain is helpful.”
Nye said that farms which in recent years have produced 180-200 bushels per acre may see closer to 150, with some pockets of the county at 100-125.
He said the rain has also been very beneficial for beans.
Nye added that, because crops were planted late this year, “Growing is not as far along as in a normal year, so timely rain like this is beneficial.”
Rest of the week
The AccuWeather forecast for Clinton County the rest of the work week:
• Wednesday brings a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 p.m., with the chance of rain diminishing to 20 percent Wednesday night. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday should finally be a dry one — partly sunny with a high of 83, although on the humid side.
• Friday’s forecast is the same as Thursday’s.
• Saturday, a chance of storms and showers.
