Since last reported on 09/07/2026, recorded a total of 0.17" of measurable precipitation from two events. Sampling topsoil today, found dusty dry soil down to the 3.0" level. Shovel wouldn't go down any further. Continue to provide supplemental water to trees. All grasses are dry and crunchy. Many of the birds have gone. Mornings and evenings are cool now with a light jacket needed. Clouds are also showing seasonal changes. This morning we had a low stratus layer come in just after the 7:00am observation. When I was inputting my data, I heard a loud whooshing sound that sounded like the burner from a hot air balloon. Sure enough, looked out the window and there was a large hot air balloon coming out of the bottom of the stratus cloud a couple hundred yards from our property looking for a place to land. Fortunately, there is a 160-acre field just north of us. He put it down there.  That made for an exciting morning. September is a busy month for hot air balloons as the atmosphere in the morning is usually very stable. 

With minimal precipitation this past week and soil remaining dry, I will maintain a Severely Dry Condition Scale.