CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 04/11/18

Colder-than-normal March damages crops, delays planting

By Pam Knox

In terms of heat, February in the Southeastern U.S. set records, so the swing to lower-than-normal temperatures in March came as a shock to many.

This year, the average temperature for March was lower than the average temperature for February. That colder March air slowed the growth of some crops and delayed planting of others due to low soil temperatures. Dry soils also contributed to planting delays in some parts of the state.

Frost during the month caused significant damage to early peaches and blueberries, and mild to moderate damage to midseason peaches and blueberries. Other crops did well and work in the fields proceeded as expected.

  • In Albany, Georgia, the monthly average was 58.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 0.6 of a degree below normal.
  • In Alma, Georgia, the monthly average was 57.9 F, 2.3 degrees below normal.
  • In Athens, Georgia, the monthly average was 52.5 F, 1.8 degrees below normal.
  • In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 53.5 F, 0.8 of a degree below normal.
  • In Augusta, Georgia, the monthly average was 54.5 F, 1.4 degrees below normal.
  • In Brunswick, Georgia, the monthly average was 59.3 F, 1 degree below normal.
  • In Columbus, Georgia, the monthly average was 57.5 F, 0.3 of a degree below normal.
  • In Macon, Georgia, the monthly average was 55.8 F, 1 degree below normal.
  • In Savannah, Georgia, the monthly average was 58 F, 1.2 degrees below normal.
  • In Rome, Georgia, the monthly average was 52 F, 0.1 of a degree below normal.
  • In Valdosta, Georgia, the monthly average was 57.4 F, 3 degrees below normal.

Only a few temperature records were set last month.

On March 1, the temperature in Macon broke an old record high of 84 F from 1918 with a new record of 85 F. On that day, Savannah also reached 88 F, surpassing the old record of 86 F set in 1918 and 2017. Brunswick reached 85 F, breaking an old record of 82 F from 1971. Columbus tied a record high of 83 F on that date, also from 1918. On March 18, Brunswick tied a 1977 record high of 84 F.

Precipitation in most of the state was also below normal, which led to an increase in drought, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. Overall, 50 percent of the state was in drought by the end of the month.

The highest monthly total precipitation recorded by a National Weather Service station was 4.86 inches in Atlanta, 0.05 of an inch above normal. The lowest monthly total precipitation recorded was 1.22 inches in Savannah, 2.51 inches below normal.

  • Albany received 5.24 inches, 1.08 inches above normal.
  • Alma received 2.03 inches, 2.72 inches below normal.
  • Athens received 3.18 inches, 1.25 inches below normal.
  • Augusta received 3.21 inches, 0.97 of an inch below normal.
  • Brunswick received 1.80 inches, 2.08 inches below normal.
  • Columbus received 3.15 inches, 2.31 inches below normal.
  • Macon received 2.65 inches, 1.90 inches below normal.
  • Savannah received 1.65 inches, 1.21 inches below normal.
  • Rome received 3.74 inches, 1.04 inches below normal.  
  • Valdosta received 1.82 inches, 3.05 inches below normal.

No daily precipitation records were set last month. The only snow reported was 0.2 of an inch at the Dillard, Georgia, Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) station in Rabun County on March 7.

The highest daily rainfall total recorded by CoCoRaHS volunteers in March was 3.72 inches, recorded near Morganton, Georgia, in Fannin County on March 1. Observers north of Ellijay, Georgia, in Gilmer County and Helen, Georgia, in Habersham County received 3.67 and 3.66 inches, respectively, on the same day.

The highest monthly precipitation amount was 8.51 inches, a total recorded by an observer north of Helen, followed by 8.48 inches recorded by an observer near Cedartown, Georgia, in Polk County.

For more information, visit the Climate and Agriculture in the South East blog at https://site.extension.uga.edu/climate/, the Southeast Ag Climate Facebook page or @SE_AgClimate on Twitter. Share your weather and climate impacts on agriculture on the blog by emailing them to pknox@uga.edu.

Pam Knox is the director of the UGA Weather Network and serves as an agricultural climatologist with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

Authors:
Pam Knox
Experts/Sources:
Pam Knox
This year, the average temperature for March was lower than the average temperature for February.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Nothing lasts forever: CAES professor finds solutions to break down ‘forever chemicals’ 12/05/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Qingguo “Jack” Huang always wanted to do one thing: solve problems. Growing up in a small city in central China, Huang’s favorite subject in elementary school was math, granting him the opportunity to work on many problems. In high school, his passion transitioned to science, where he learned he could feed those same interests in a way that benefited others. He was finishing high school in the 1980s when Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring made its way to Chinese newspapers, capturing Huang’s attention.
Georgia Simmons at the office of U.S. Sen. Warnock CAES News
Georgia 4-H alum, CAES student spends semester serving at the nation's Capitol 12/03/24 Josie Smith, Cooper Hardy
Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.
Longtime faculty member George Vellidis was named the first permanent director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. IIPA was launched in 2022 and has grown to include more than 70 faculty members. (Photo by Paul Privette for UGA CAES) CAES News
Vellidis named director of Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture 12/02/24 David Mitchell
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor George Vellidis has been named director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA). His term began on Nov. 1, and he will serve as the unit’s first permanent director. “Dr. Vellidis has been a vital member of our UGA faculty for years and played a key role in launching IIPA,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Whether it’s his impact as a first-class researcher and educator or the work he does behind the scenes to elevate our reputation in the field abroad, his presence has made UGA a hub for precision agriculture research.”
Mergoum at Creature Comforts CAES News
That's the spirit! 11/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras, Claire S. Kinnard
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Professional brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems.