Phenology

Observations by Gary Fewless for Green Bay WI (Lat.N 44.51° Long. W 88.02° ), except as noted. For flowers lacking conspicuous petals or sepals I define "anthesis" as release of pollen by mature anthers.

September 2004

Observations by Gary Fewless, except as noted

Date	Observation (Click on links for photos)
Sep 30	Frost again in Green Bay this morning, low temperature of 32 F. Green Bay received a total of 0.47 inches of rain for September, 2.64 inches below the average for September. The temperature for the month was 5.8 degrees above average. One half of the days (15) reached a high temperature of 80 or above, with the warmest day reaching 85.
Sep 29	First frost of the season in Green Bay (and first freeze with a low temperature of 31 °F) . Average first frost for the last 30 years is Oct 2. The goldenrods are mostly done flowering in Green Bay, but there are still many plants in flower. Daucus carota (wild carrot) and Cichorium intybus (chickory) are prominently in flower now as are several of the asters.
Sep 28	Green Bay has had only 0.21 inches of rain since September 6th, and only 0.47 total for the month. Many lawns have turned brown and the leaves of some trees have also turned brown and fallen. Green Ash seems to be conspicuous in this regard. Last year on this date the low temperature in Green Bay was 34 F and there were reports of a few snow flakes in Forest County in the morning.
Sep 27	Today is Green Bay's 15 th day of 80° F or greater this month (see note for Sep 23).
Sep 25	There is some evidence of fall color in the local trees, but it is mostly red maple and sumac. The warm and dry weather seems very unseasonable and the drought continues.
Sep 23	Based on number of days with high temperature of 80° F or greater, this is the hottest September on record for Green Bay. We have had 14 days of 80 F or higher.
Sep 22	Today is the first day of Fall. Temperatures are predicted to rise into the 80's again and no rain is forecast.
Sep 21	This is the third consecutive day of unseasonably warm temperatures. The high temperature in Green Bay has been in the 80's for three consecutive days and precipitation is about 1.85 inches below the average for the first three weeks of September.
Sep 20	UWGB's prairie pond is nearly dry.
Sep 15	A prolonged drought in Green Bay threatens the vegetation. There is little evidence of Fall colors in the trees, but leaves of some species have begun to dry up and turn brown without the intermediate colors. Through Sep. 14 there was a total of 0.41 inches of rain in Green Bay this month, about 1.19 inches below the average for that period. We were also 1.77 inches short of the monthly average for August.
Sep 10	Goldenrods still in peak form on UWGB, creating a bright yellow aspect in many fields.
Sep 02	Solidago speciosa (showy goldenrod) has begun to flower on UWGB campus. Aster novae-angliae (New England aster) and A. ericoides (heath aster) have not yet begun to flower!