While recent rain has been enough to knock the current month out of Toledo’s list for the driest Septembers ever, it was nowhere near sufficient to end drought conditions in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
And while dry weather that has persisted throughout the summer is cutting into crop yields, stressing other plants and trees, and posing a field fire hazard, highway officials said it has helped with construction projects.
“The dry weather has helped with our bridge projects, in terms of lower water levels and flow to deal with,” said Mike Pniewski, the Lucas County engineer. “In addition, with all the sunny days, it has resulted in projects being completed a little ahead of schedule, and almost no weather delays for projects that have been in progress over the last few months.”
And at Metroparks Toledo, the lack of rainy days has been good for park visitation, spokesman Scott Carpenter said.
“Some trees are stressed and changing color a little early. What effect the drought will have on our fall color season is yet to be determined,” Mr. Carpenter said. “So far, though, there hasn’t been any adverse impact on park operations or maintenance.”