COLDWATER, MI (WTVB0 – The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Branch County is “abnormally dry” when it comes to the amount of rainfall.
St. Joseph County, most of Hillsdale County, and parts of Calhoun County fall into that same category.
The northern half of Calhoun and the far northern part of Hillsdale County is considered to have moderate drought conditions.
According to the report which was released on Thursday, Michigan topsoil was rated at 68 percent short to very short and subsoil conditions were 72 percent short to very short.
Local reports indicated that soybeans in parts of Michigan were less than two feet high and that the leaves were flipped and showing their undersides.
The United State Department of Agriculture reports that soybean conditions were 20 percent poor to very poor across Michigan.
The survey shows nearly 73 percent of Michigan is abnormally dry, while moderate drought conditions exist in 18 percent of the state.
Accuweather.com says Coldwater has only received 1.14 inches of rain so far in July, which is over three inches below normal for the month.
There has only been 2.52 inches of rain in Coldwater since June 1, after Michigan State University Extension reported nearly eight inches of rain in May. The July 16 rain was Coldwater’s first rainfall in 18 days.
