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Pamela J. Bennett, Ohio State University Extension, Clark County; Jane C. Martin, |
The growing season of 2001 was one of erratic weather, with wide fluctuations in temperatures and moisture levels in many parts of Ohio. In general, temperatures were warmer than normal; Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati had a combined total of 38 days with temperatures reaching 90F or higher. During the same period in 2000, these same cities had a combined total of only six days of 90F or higher.
Rainfall was above average in April for some of Ohio and for much of Ohio in May, which inhibited soil preparation and planting in many locations and slowed sales of annuals and vegetable transplants at garden centers. August rainfall was above normal for the state as well. Its scattered nature resulted in large areas in the northeastern half of the state with below normal rainfall, while the western third of the state was well above normal. In contrast, precipitation was below normal across the state during January-March, June-July, and September.
The combination of high temperatures and below normal summer rainfall caused lawns in many locations to go dormant this season, with reports of permanent injury to lawns by September in some areas. Despite below normal rainfall much of the season, watering restrictions were not imposed on a wide scale. On the other hand, much of the southwest part of the state never exhibited dormancy in lawns this season due to abundant, regular rains in July and August.
After last season's rather abundant rainfall, seven regions of the state were near normal or in various degrees of moist spells on the Palmer Drought Severity Index by January 2001. Only three regions in the southern third of Ohio were rated in the "incipient drought" category.
An overview of the state's weather conditions January through September is given in the following report.
This report includes a compilation of Ohio weather conditions and noteworthy environmentally induced and cultural plant problems in 2001. Observations were drawn from information provided in Ohio State University Extension's Buckeye Yard and Garden Line, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Monthly Water Inventory Report, and the State Climatologist's Office for Ohio.