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Rainfall totals are nearly 5 inches below average for the past three months, and with that comes slowed plant growth and increase in fire risk, according to Jeff Boyne, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in La Crosse.
In 2007, summer precipitation totals hit 25.86, due to the historic flash flood Aug. 18-19. This year, the rainfall totals have barely broken 6 inches.
For August, rainfall totals are 3.5 inches below normal.
“It’s cyclical,” said Brad Adams, a hydro-meteorological technician at the weather service. “What we’re experiencing now is high pressure keeping storm tracks well to the north and south of the region.”
The effects can be seen most predominantly in shallow-rooted plants, like grass and flowers. Trees and other deep-rooted plants aren’t hurting because of subsoil water reserves from last year’s heavy rainfall.
There may be some relief on this way this weekend, Adams said, with a chance of showers and storms Friday and Saturday.
Sarah Burgen is a reporter for the Winona Daily News.
