Two rain events in the past week of 0.10 each combined with much cooler temperatures. The rains did little more than wet the surface and were seperated by days with breezes, low relative humidities, and quick drying rates. I have observed burned patches along interstates and in one yard where grass fires have developed. A large planting of arborvitae is near death near Hilltop concrete in downtown Cincinnati due to the drought. Numerous other plantings are dying or in trouble. Recent weather has slowed worsening of the horticultural effects of the drought and made watering more effective, but by no means have conditions improved. October marks the eleventh of the past 12 months at my location with below normal rainfall. I have heard that the drought is allowing for an earlier harvest in agricultural areas than in recent memory so that would be a silver lining.