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Top soil moisture ratings down from a week ago
Montana During the week ending Aug. 19, Montana received below normal precipitation, and every weather station had less than an inch of moisture or none for the second week in a row. Dillon received 0.67 inches on Aug. 18, breaking the old record for that day of 0.53 inches set in 1990. Dillon also had the most precipitation for the week at 0.80 inches. Most of the state experienced above normal temperatures. Hardin had the high temperature of 104 degrees. Swan Lake had the low temperature of 27 degrees and had below normal temperatures for the whole week. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 10 percent, down from last week's 14 percent, last year's 12 percent, and the five-year average of 22 percent. Seventeen percent of subsoil moisture was good to excellent, down from last week's 20 percent and the five-year average of 19 percent but up from last year's 13 percent. The number of days suitable for fieldwork was 6.9. The weather outlook for Aug. 27 through Sept. 2 is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation both east and west of the continental divide. Normal temperatures for this period in Montana are highs in the lower 70s to the lower 80s and lows in the mid 30s to the mid 50s. Range and pasture feed conditions continue to decline from heat stress. Ranchers have already moved 15 percent of cattle and 11 percent of sheep from summer ranges to other pastures. The second cutting of alfalfa and all other hay is ahead of last year and the five-year average. Winter wheat harvest is nearly complete. Eighty-six percent of barley is harvested compared to only 63 percent last year. High temperatures and lack of rainfall have affected small grain yields. Farmers are at risk of causing fires when working in the fields. B 7 8/27/07 3 Star CO Date: 8/22/07
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