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Record Setting Dryness Could Put Crops & Farms at Risk Record Setting Dryness Could Put Crops & Farms at Risk

By Tyger Munn

Have you been feeling the heat? Central New York has gone through one of the driest periods in the region’s history. Specifically in Syracuse, where last month in May, it was the tenth driest May in history.

Farmers are taking notice of the heat mainly because it’s the beginning of crop season. And while April had a lot of rain, May’s dryness has led to a lot of crops dying out and causing concern for the future.

“It’s kind of like newborn babies, you know, you give them a good start in life, and they have good health. it’s the same thing with a plant. When you have weak growing conditions early on, they just don’t get a good start.”

Meteorologist Peter Hall says that there is no cause for concern just yet, but if this trend continues we could see a very mini drought, but any kind of drought is detrimental to any population.
“It’s super hit and miss. You would hope to have gotten a little more rain in May, and I think that’s their concern, that we have a bit of a cushion. So that when you get to those summer months and you get only spotty showers and storms, well now you don’t have that cushion you could have had in May.”

While there’s not much a cause for concern yet, Syracuse residents should take notice of the weather and the heat, and make sure they’re prepared for the worst. In Syracuse, I’m Tyger Munn, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) –– It’s been hot in Central New York, a little too hot. Hot to the point where the area just went through the 10th driest May in Syracuse history, following a very wet April. Normally April and May are set-up months for the beginning of the summer, especially for farmers whose crops are dependent on the weather. 

When there’s an abnormally dry period in these months, that greatly affects the crops for the remainder of the summer, especially since the sun is out more.

“We had to plant our corn seeds deeper than usual today,” said Erica Leubner, a Central New York farmer who’s co-owner of Tim’s Pumpkin Patch. 

Leubner said the weather and especially rain do much more than just water them, they also help spread weed protection and other essentials to protect their crops. While fires and other dangers are present in weather like this, she and her husband’s main concern was the rest of the season.

“We usually don’t see this type of weather until July or August,” said Tim Leubner, Erica’s husband.

“It’s kinda like newborn babies — it’s the same thing as a plant, you want to give it good growing conditions in the start,” Erica Leubner said.

But should Central New York residents be concerned about this? No, at least not for right now. Pete Hall, Channel 3 meteorologist, says that the rainy April is giving the area a cushion going into the summer, but merely a cushion. 

“When you get to those summer months and you get those spotty showers and storms. You don’t have that cushion that you could’ve had in May,” said Hall.

He said this shouldn’t be a problem but if this trend becomes consistent then the entire state of New York could experience a high risk of a drought. As for now, all residents can do is stay inside and hydrate for a hot weekend. 

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