Possible drought predicted
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center added Franklin County to the U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook. With higher than normal temperatures and little moisture recharging the top and subsoil layers, Franklin County is likely to have drought conditions for the month of March. Everyone has noticed the recent up-and-down temperature swings. While some have loved the warmer weather, it can have drastic effects on agriculture in the county. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is predicting a 33 percent probability of above-normal temperature for the month of March. Farmers rely on a number of factors to have good quality, high yielding crops and lush pastures. Weather can affect everything that goes on in a farm, which can affect the product to the consumer. Wild fires from drought conditions across Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma has disseminated cattle ranches, burning thousands of square acres, killing thousands of livestock and six people. The lack of moisture from drought conditions in our area can bring the threat…