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Weather
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and a half have been anything but normal.
Long-time weather watcher Dennis Wingfield from Sperryville reported that the first 12 days of February have been an average of nearly 13 degrees warmer than the average temperature for the last five years in the same time period.
“The average daytime temperature for 1985-89 was 42.5 degrees,” he said of his carefully plotted temperatures for the first 12 days of February, adding this year the same time’s temperatures averaged 55.3 degrees, with a average low of 32.8 degrees, an 8.4 degree hike from the five previous years low temperature average of 24.4 degrees.
While temperatures remain high, precipitation levels for last two months are normal or above, meaning water levels are adequate as spring approaches.
Dr. Michaels said state well levels are at the highest level of the past decade with stream levels also above normal. December’s slow thaw soaked top and subsoil strata, creating adequate water conditions for spring.
Warm temperatures and adequate water in 1990 has kept winter crops — such as winter wheat — in “good shape” according to Rappahannock County’s Extension Agricultural Agent, Tommy Williams.
Spring crops are the concern.
“Everything is running about a month ahead of time,” Mr. Williams said, with concern ringing in his
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