| Rain welcomed; crops need more |
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Posted: Monday, July 9, 2012 9:01 pm
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By KEVIN BOWDEN
Staff Reporter
It was a dark and stormy night in Obion County Sunday, bringing much-needed rain to the area.
And more rain is being forecast for the county this week, although the chances are low.
Officially, .68 inches of rain fell at the A.L. Strub Wastewater Treatment Plant in Union City.
It was the first measurable rainfall recorded at the plant since June 17, although it reportedly rained along the south end of the county Friday morning.
Obion County continues to suffer through a severe drought this summer.
It’s rained less than 16 inches so far this year, compared to nearly 42.3 inches of rain through the same period in 2011.
Sunday night’s rainfall brought some relief to area farmers, who still need at least three to four more inches of rain within the next week to help their bean crops, according to Tim Smith, Obion County office director of the University of Tennessee Extension Service.
He said the local corn crop is “past help” and that Sunday night’s rain “really didn’t help much.”
The rainfall did “significantly help” the local soybean crop.
“Another three to four inches (of rain) within the next week would really make a big difference,” he said.
Smith, who lives just north of Troy, said he got .90 inches of rain Sunday night.
Sunday night’s storm was accompanied by strong winds as a weather front is moving through the region. More rain and thunderstorms are forecast for tonight through the rest of the week. The probability of rain tonight and during the day Tuesday is 60 percent, and 50 percent during Tuesday night.
The probability of rain through the rest of the week and into Sunday is 20 to 30 percent.
Published in The Messenger 7.9.12 |
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