Almost all of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) recorded temperatures at or slightly below average in the past week (Figure 1).  There will be periods of both cooler and warmer than average days during this next forecasting period, but it appears because of a couple of days being well below average early next week. These next 7 days overall will finish below average at most locations.

Rain in the past week was highly variable with many locations recording little or no rain with pockets of heavier rain associated with thunderstorms from last Friday and to some degree on Tuesday Night (Figure 2).  Most of the rain that falls in the next 7 days looks to be occurring with 2 or 3 waves of thunderstorms in the next couple of days (Thursday through Saturday AM).  There will likely be localized areas of both severe weather and heavy rain mixed with areas of little precipitation.  Typical summer weather in our region in other words.  Although any spot may see a thunderstorm, eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota is the most likely area to be hit. 

The projected growing degree days (GDDs) base 50°, 44° and 32° for the period of August 13 through August 19, 2020 can be found in Figure 3.

Using May 1 as a planting date, accumulated growing degree days for wheat (base temperature 32°) is given in Figure 4.   You can calculate wheat growing degree days based on your exact planting date(s) here:  https://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/wheat-growing-degree-days.html

Using May 20 as a planting date, accumulated growing degree days for corn (base temperature 50°) is given in Figure 5.   You can calculate corn growing degree days based on your exact planting date(s) here:   https://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/corn-growing-degree-days.html. 

Soybeans also use base 50° like corn, but NDAWN has a special tool for soybeans that based on your planting date and cultivar can estimate maturity dates based on average temperatures, as well as give you GDDs based on your planting date(s) you set.  That tool can be found here:   https://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/soybean-growing-degree-days.html

Daryl Ritchison

Meteorologist

Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network