Bryan Hanson, Langdon Research Center, North Dakota State University, Langdon, ND 58249
Blaine Schatz and Steve Zwinger, Carrington Research/Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Carrington, ND 58421
Mark Halvorson,  North Central Research/Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Minot, ND 58701
Neil Riveland, Williston Research Center, North Dakota State University, Williston, ND 58801
Erik Ericksmoen, Hettinger Research/Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Hettinger, ND 58639

Source: North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service - USDA

2003 Growing Season

Light rain fell across the state in early May providing much needed soil water. The drought proved short lived as rainy and wet conditions continued throughout the month. There were 12 to 18 rain days during the month. Total May rainfall ranged from 2-3 inches in the west to 4-6 inches overmuch of the central, east-central, and southeast regions. Rainfall throughout the month resulted in relatively cool temperatures over most of the region.

Average May temperatures ranged from near normal in the north, but were 2 to 5 F below normal elsewhere. This cool weather definitely slowed crop development, especially the longer season crops. Temperatures in the low to mid-20's occurred across much of the north and west during mid-month, but most of the eastern and northeastern areas escaped frost.

In June, cool rainy conditions continued throughout the state during the first half of June providing much needed soil water throughout the southwest. For the rest of June copious rains continued over the southeastern quarter of North Dakota but the remainder of the state remained dry. Total June rainfall exceeded 2.50 inches over the eastern half of the state with large areas receiving over 4 inches, and some more than 6 inches. June rainfall averaged only about 50 to 60 percent of normal in the northwest and southwest regions increasing to 150-200 percent of normal over the southeast.

Because of the early rain, below normal temperatures persisted into June. Although temperatures in the 30s and low 40s were common the first week, by mid-month they were near normal. For the entire month temperatures ranged from 1 to 4 F below normal with the lowest temperatures in the southwest.

In July rainfall ranging from 3 to 7 inches fell along an east-west oriented strip following highway 2 from Grand Forks to Minot during the second week of July. The remainder of the state was relatively dry in July, receiving less than 2.50 inches. Large areas in both northern and southern North Dakota received less than 1.50 inches which is only 30 to 50 percent of normal. In early July temperatures warmed rapidly to the high 80s and 90s across the entire state. By mid-July numerous regions in the southwest and west-central regions reached temperatures in the 100s.

In August rainfall was relatively sparse over much of the state. Scattered rain fell during the first week which helped some late season crops, but dry weather and very high temps continued to severely stress these crops. With continuing dry conditions, mid-August temperatures soared to over 100 F in the west and south, with 90s over the rest of the state. More rain fell later in the month, but it was too little, too late for most crops.

August rainfall totaled less than an inch over most of the northwest and the southern half of North Dakota, but several scattered locations in the north and east received more than 2 to 3 inches or 75 to 125 percent of normal.

Temperatures in the 90s continued statewide throughout the first week of September which contributed to above average temperatures throughout western North Dakota. September rainfall was less than normal over most of the state. Scattered temps in the high 20s occurred across the north on Sept. 18^th which spread over all but the eastern part of the state on the 19^th. Although there were many occurrences of mid to upper 20s, the first severe statewide freeze occurred on September 29 and again on the 30th.