Al Dutcher - Former Associate Nebraska State Climatologist

Al Dutcher
US map showing October 2019 departure from normal temperatures.

Drier, Colder Weather Now, but Storms Likely in Late November

November 6, 2019
Following a colder than normal October, University of Nebraska Climatologist Al Dutcher predicts drier, colder weather for much of the next two weeks with storms likely in late November.

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Nebraska map showing locations and dates of first hard freezes.

Forecast Offers Harvest Hope if Snows Stay North

October 8, 2019
With extended wet conditions this season, every precipitation event going forward has the potential to bring harvest activity to a grinding halt. The big question is how extensive will the delays be. Climatologist Al Dutcher offers good and bad news for some.

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Solar Radiation Takes a Hit in Central Nebraska in August

September 19, 2019
During much of August, particularly August 19-25, the central tier of Nebraska, from the South Dakota border to the Kansas border, saw reduced levels of solar radiation.

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Freeze Risk Shifts from August Report

September 12, 2019
Climatologist Al Dutcher looks at freeze risks for various sites, maturities and planting dates for corn. In some areas slightly warmer-than-normal August temperatures reduced freeze risk while in others, conditions were cooler than normal.

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Fall Freeze Risk as of early September (Table 1)

September 10, 2019
Table 1. The odds (%) of an early fall hard freeze (28°F or less), calculated using 2019 GDD accumulations from emergence to August 31 and applying 1981-2010 GDD accumulations from September 1 to the average first hard freeze date. The table (stacked in two parts) shows the odds for four emergence dates.

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Fall Freeze Risk, August 2019 (Table 1)

August 8, 2019
Table 1. The odds (%) of an early fall hard freeze (28°F or less), calculated using 2019 GDD accumulations from emergence to July 31 and applying 1981-2010 GDD average accumulations for August 1 to the average first hard freeze date. The table (stacked in two parts) shows the odds for four emergence dates.

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Calculating the Odds of a Hard Freeze

August 7, 2019
How likely are you to see a hard freeze (28°F or less) before your corn reaches maturity? Check these tables based on current and historical conditions to see whether you're in an area of concern.

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Pollen on leaves and silks in spite of heat
Corn pollen on and near silks. For each kernel of grain to be produced, one silk needs to be fertilized by one pollen grain. Photo by Jenny Rees.

How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination

July 19, 2019
A lot of factors can affect corn pollination success, including recent and predicted high heat and high humidity. This explains how environmental conditions influence the pollination process and how a cool down later this weekend may be helpful.

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