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Kentucky Monthly and Annual Climate Summary -- 1996 By Tom Priddy, UK Ag. Weather Center Erin Roland, System Coordinator ------------------------------------------- Kentucky Climate Summary--1996 Annual Summary For the Period 01-01-96 to 12-31-96 Generally A WET year with Near Normal Temperatures on Average: Temperatures for the year averaged 55 degrees across the state which was near normal. High temperatures averaged from 66 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to near normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 46 degrees in the West to 44 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from near normal in the West to near normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 52.61 inches statewide which was 5.50 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 53.51 inches, Central 56.14 inches, Bluegrass 49.90 inches and East 50.88 inches, which was 5.39, 7.07, 5.35 and 4.20 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 40.81 inches at London to a high of 63.79 inches at Evansville. --- For the Period December 1996 Temperatures for the period averaged 41 degrees across the state which was 5 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 48 in the West to 50 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree above normal in the West to +5 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 32 degrees in the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 9 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.08 inches statewide which was 0.13 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.49 inches, Central 4.99 inches, Bluegrass 4.07 inches and East 2.79 inches, which was +0.03, +0.45, +0.28 and -1.28 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.07 inches at Quicksand to a high of 7.06 inches at Princeton. --- Kentucky Climate Summary November 1996 Winter-Like Temperatures with generally Above Normal Rainfall: Temperatures for November 1996 averaged 42 degrees across the state which was 5 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 51 degrees in the West (9 degrees below normal) to 49 degrees in the East (7 degrees below normal). Low temperatures averaged from 35 degrees in the West (3 degrees below normal) to 34 degrees in the East (near normal). Extreme high temperatures were in the upper 60's to mid 70's and extreme low temperatures were in the mid teens to low 20's. Heating degree days totals were 30% to 35% above normal. Most locations reported flurries during November but only far Northern and Eastern locations received measurable amounts generally near 2 inches. November rainfall totaled 4.80 inches statewide which was 0.87 inches above normal. Most locations reported 15 to 20 days with precipitation of trace amounts or greater. Of significance was the large one-day rainfall amounts from 1 to 3 inches near 11/07-08. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 5.72 inches, Central 4.27 inches, Bluegrass 4.11 inches and East 5.11 inches, which was 1.45, 0.14, 0.57 and 1.33 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 3.07 inches at Hardinsburg to a high of 8.64 inches at Paducah. --- For the Period: October 1996 For the state as a whole, autumn-like temperatures and below normal rainfall. Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was near normal. High temperatures averaged from 70 in the West (2 degrees below normal) to 68 in the East (near normal). Low temperatures averaged from 48 degrees in the West (1 degree below normal) to 46 degrees in the East (1 degree above normal). Generally, most Northern and Western stations reported near to slightly below normal temperatures and Southern and Eastern stations reported near to slightly above normal monthly temperatures. Extreme temperatures were near 80 degrees and extreme low temperatures plunged to the upper 20's to mid 30's. Frosty temperatures were reported by some Central and Northern locations on 10/20 (Bardstown 29 degrees). Otherwise very few stations recorded a hard-freeze in October. Rainfall for October 1996 totaled 2.53 inches statewide which was 0.41 inches below normal. Most stations recorded below normal rainfall for the month, however, several Western locations reported several days with rainfall amounts of 1.00 inches or greater. Monthly rainfall totals by climate division, West 3.35 inches, Central 2.43 inches, Bluegrass 1.68 inches and East 2.66 inches, which was +0.30, -0.49, -1.10 and -0.33 inches respectively from normal. By station, monthly rainfall totals ranged from a low of 0.95 inches at Bristol to a high of 6.19 inches at Princeton. --- For the Period: September 1996* Third Wettest September Since 1897: Temperatures for September 1996 averaged 67 degrees across the state which was 1 degree below normal. High temperatures averaged from 79 in the West (3 degrees below normal) to 76 in the East (2 degrees below normal). Low temperatures averaged from 57 degrees in the West (1 degree below normal) to 57 degrees in the East (1 degree above normal). Only a few locations reported reaching the 90 degree mark during the month. No locations reported frost. Extreme high temperatures were in the mid to upper 80's and extreme lows were in the mid 40's. Although a cool month, September 1996 was no where near the coolest September on record. That still belongs to September 1918 with an average monthly temperature of 62.1 degrees statewide. Rainfall for September 1996 totaled 5.90 inches statewide which was 2.45 inches above normal and the third wettest September since 1897. The wettest September was in 1979. Many locations received more than twice the normal monthly rainfall. Monthly rainfall totals by climate division, West 6.85 inches, Central 7.09 inches, Bluegrass 4.85 inches and East 4.79 inches, which was 3.35, 3.45, 1.54 and 1.44 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 3.78 inches at Bristol to a high of 8.92 inches at Glasgow. /*Based on preliminary data from the Agricultural weather stations, and first-order (NWS Offices) stations in and near Kentucky. ---- For the Period: August 1996* Seasonal temperatures with much below normal rainfall: Temperatures for August 1996 averaged 75 degrees across the state which was near to slighty above normal. High temperatures averaged from 87 in the West to 84 in the East (both near normal). Low temperatures averaged from 66 degrees in the West (2 degrees above normal) to 64 degrees in the East (1 degree above normal). Most locations reported less than the normal number of days where daytime temperatures equal or exceeded 90 degrees..some stations none (ie., Jackson). Extreme high temperatures were in the low 90's and lows were in the mid to upper 50's. Rainfall for the month totaled 2.02 inches statewide which was 1.71 inches below normal. Only some Southeast locations reported above normal rainfall for the month...otherwise conditions were generally very dry..especially West. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.75 inches, Central 1.79 inches, Bluegrass 2.16 inches and East 3.37 inches, which was 2.74, 1.96, 1.65 and 0.50 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 0.11 inches at Paducah to a high of 6.13 inches at Somerset. Paducah's August rainfall total of 0.11 inches was the 5th lowest August since 1962. --- For the Period: July 1996* Cool with generally above normal rainfall: Temperatures for July 1996 were mostly pleasant. The monthly temperature averaged 75 degrees across the state which was 1 degree below normal. High temperatures averaged from 86 in the West (4 degrees below normal) to 82 in the East (3 degrees below normal). Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the East, both near normal. Extreme high temperatures in the low 90's occurred near the 1st of July and for a few days during the middle to the month. Extreme North and some Eastern locations of Kentucky reported no days with 90 degrees or greater..Paducah reported 7 and Lexington 1 day. Active cold fronts moved out of the Northwest on several occassions, providing Kentucky and most of the Ohio Valley with cooler temperatures and extreme low temperatures in the low to mid 50's. Most of Kentucky received abundant rainfall...and was the fourth month for statewide above normal rainfall. Yet significant dry periods occurred during the first, second and final week of July. Some Northern and Eastern locations reported below normal monthly rainfall totals. Rainfall for July 1996 totaled 5.56 inches statewide which was 0.88 inches above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 5.42 inches, Central 6.09 inches, Bluegrass 5.28 inches and East 5.44 inches, which was 1.31, 1.19, 0.59 and 0.44 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 1.61 inches at Williamstown to a high of 8.25 inches at Berea. Other notable monthly rainfall totals for July 1996...Paducah; 6.11 inches (+1.92), Cincinnati; 2.62 inches (-1.62), Lexington; 5.19 inches (+0.19), Jackson 5.00 inches (-0.14). Louisville reported weather sensor failure near the end of July. * Based on preliminary data. ----------- For the Period: June 1996 First half of June was WET and COOL...2nd half was HOT and DRY: June 1996 will go into the record books as not only a very wet month but also the final month in a spring that was one of the 10 wettest springs in the past 102 years (1895-1996). Temperatures for the period averaged 73 degrees across the state which was near normal. High temperatures averaged from 84 in the West (3 degrees below normal) to 83 in the East (near normal). Low temperatures averaged from 65 degrees in the West (2 degrees above normal) to 62 degrees in the East (near normal). Extreme high temperatures for the month were in the mid to upper 90's and extreme low temperatures were in the mid 50's. Rainfall for June 1996 totaled 5.11 inches statewide which was 1.29 inches above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 5.83 inches, Central 5.61 inches, Bluegrass 4.72 inches and East 4.29 inches, which was 2.16, 1.68, 0.97 and 0.36 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.07 inches at Nashville to a high of 7.88 inches at Mayfield. -------------------- For the Period: May 1996 Wet and Wild May 1996: May 1996 will go into the record books as extremely wet for most parts of Kentucky, a relatively warm and very active weather month. Tornadoes hit parts of Central and Bluegrass areas on the 25th destroying and damaging over 600 homes south of Louisville in Bullett County and additional damage in Anderson, Fayette, Spencer, Jessamine and Woodford Counties. Temperatures for the period averaged near 67 degrees across the state which was 1 degree above normal. High temperatures averaged from 79 (2 degrees below normal) in the West to 77 (1 degree above normal) in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 60 degrees (4 degrees above normal) in the West to 56 degrees (1 degree above normal) in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the low 90's and extreme lows were in the low to mid 30's. Only some Eastern locations reported frost..most West and Central locations had no minimum temperatures of 32 degrees or less. Covington was the only station to report a record low of 31 degrees on the 13th. Numerous heavy rainfall events occurred during May 1996..making it the 9th wettest May since 1895 (102 year period). Planting and other field activities were stalled or interrupted most of the month except during the 3rd week where an extended dry period occurred and some dry days during the final week of the month. Rainfall for the month totaled 6.69 inches statewide which was 1.99 inches above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division; West 5.73 inches, Central 6.78 inches, Bluegrass 8.49 inches and East 5.78 inches, which was 0.83, 1.87, 3.96 and 1.31 inches respectively above normal. Many Northern locations of the state received nearly twice as much rainfall as the Southern half of the state. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 3.92 inches at Buckhorn Lake, Paducah 5.22 inches (+0.28), Louisville 9.17 inches (+4.55), Lexington 8.98 inches (+4.51), Covington 9.20 inches (+4.92), Jackson 5.86 inches (+1.23) to a high of 12.20 inches (+7.79) at Williamstown. Many locations received one day rainfall amounts of 2 and 3 inches. Louisville received two days (26th and 28th) with over 2 inches. --------------- For the Period: April 1996 Cool and above normal rainfall except below normal rainfall far West and South Central parts: Temperatures for the 1st and 2nd week of April were cool. The 3rd week received above normal temperatures and the final week returned to cool weather. Temperatures for the month averaged 53 degrees across the state which was 3 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 66 in the West to 65 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 1 degree below normal in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the upper 70's and low 80's. Low temperatures averaged from 43 degrees in the West to 42 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Extreme low temperatures were in the low to mid 20's on several occasions. Most locations received low temperatures of 32 degrees or less on 4 to 7 days. Rainfall for the first half of April was generally below normal statewide. By mid-month a change in the position of the jet stream forced active weather systems to move through the Ohio Valley providing generally above normal rainfall for the most of the state and record rainfall for some Northwest counties along the Ohio River. This weather pattern also caused tornadoes to form during the 3rd week of April causing tremendous damage in some Central locations of Kentucky (BEREA). Far West and some South Central locations did not receive as much rainfall as the majority of the state. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for April totaled 5.18 inches statewide which was 0.97 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 6.38 inches, Central 5.31 inches, Bluegrass 5.36 inches and East 3.70 inches, which was +1.78, +1.00, +1.33 and -0.24 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 2.16 inches at Somerset to a high of 11.52 inches at Evansville (new monthly record). Other notable monthly rainfall totals: Henderson..8.11, Covington..9.38 inches. Snowfall for the month was generally 1 to 3 inches North and East..early in the month (1st). --- For the Period: March 1996* Much below normal temperatures with lots of snow: Temperatures for the period averaged 40 degrees across the state which was -5 degrees from normal. High temperatures averaged from 51 in the West to 51 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from -9 degrees from normal in the West and North to -3 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 31 degrees in the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from -5 degrees from normal in the West to -3 degrees from normal in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the low 70's (14th and 24th) and extreme low temperatures were in the single digits (8/9th). Snowfall was abundant for many locations for March 1996. A major winter storm on the last day of winter/first day of Spring provided Kentucky with near record snowfall and many West and West Central locations with snow drifts of 1 to 3 feet and a state of emergency. Monthly snowfall totals Evansville 9.6 inches, Louisville 8.0, Lexington 7.8, Covington 8.4, and Jackson 11.2 inches of snow. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.50 inches statewide which was -0.08 inches from normal. Central and East areas received above normal rainfall while West and Bluegrass locations received below normal rainfall. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.20 inches, Central 5.09 inches, Bluegrass 4.30 inches and East 4.40 inches, which was -0.76, +0.41, -0.10 and +0.12 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.06 inches at Berea to a high of 6.44 inches at Glasgow. Soil moisture remained generally adequate to surplus throughout the month. Soil temperatures were averaging in the upper 40s by months end. ------ For the Period: February 1996 A dry month with near to slightly above normal temperatures: Despite record extreme high and low temperatures, monthly average temperatures were near to slightly above normal for the state. The weather for February 1996 continued the rollcoaster ride for temperature extremes that was typical of the previous month. Temperatures for the month averaged 37 degrees across the state which was 1 degree above normal, however some northern locations reported slightly below normal average temperatures. High temperatures averaged from 48 in the West to 46 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 29 degrees in the West to 27 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degrees above normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the 70's with some locations reporting 80 (Lexington on 23rd). Extreme low temperatures were below zero degrees (-9 degrees at Covington on the 4Th, -11 at Lexington on the 4Th). Dry conditions prevailed in February, however, there were ample precipitation events. Some stations in the Southeast reported over 12 inches of snow (Jackson 12.3 inches) but still received below normal precipitation (liq.equ.) for the month. Generally, precipitation (liq. equ.) for the month totaled 1.78 inches statewide which was 1.87 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.46 inches, Central 2.27 inches, Bluegrass 1.67 inches and East 1.73 inches, which was -2.46, -1.69, -1.48 and -1.85 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals (liq. equ.) ranged from a low of 0.67 inches at Berea to a high of 2.98 inches at Bowling Green. -------- For the Period: January 1996 Roller coaster temperatures and abundant moisture. January 1996 certainly provided a cornucopia of weather for the Bluegrass state with cold spurts...warm spells and significant rainfall/snowfall amounts. With the up and down weather..temperatures averaged 33 degrees across the state which was only slightly above normal. High temperatures averaged from 42 degrees in the West to 41 degrees in the East. By climate division, departure from normal high temperatures ranged from -1 degree from normal in the West to +2 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 25 degrees in the South to 24 degrees in the North. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from +1 degrees from normal in the North to +2 degrees from normal in the South. Extreme high temperatures approached 70 degrees on the 18th of the month and extreme low temperatures plunged to near zero with some Northern locations falling below zero on the 8th. In a 24-hour period, temperatures fell from near 70 degrees in many locations to single digits (18th/19th). Heating degree days averaged near normal. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for January 1996 totaled 4.18 inches statewide which was +0.98 inches from normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.00 inches, Central 4.15 inches, Bluegrass 4.03 inches and East 4.52 inches, which was +0.81, +0.75, +1.26 and +1.12 inches, respectively, from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.74 inches at London to a high of 7.50 inches at Cumberland Gap. Most locations received over 15 days with measurable precipitation events (rain and snow) with many reporting greater than 20 days with events. Snowfall was much above normal with Paducah reporting a total 5.3 inches, Louisville 13.8 inches, Lexington 16 inches, Covington 26.7 inches and Jackson 23.3 inches of snow. Jackson's total winter snowfall through January was near 36 inches. In one record snowfall event on the 5th through the 7th, Estill and Garrard counties reported 16 inches of snow. And to top it off, wind advisories...a flood watch...urban and small streams advisories...and even a tornado watch were issued in Kentucky during January 1996. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Based on preliminary data. Values calculated using simple arithmetic averages based on the number of available weather stations in each climate zone. No weighted consideration is given to the geographical size of the climate zone or distribution of the weather stations within each zone. Updates available monthly and upon request.Fetched URL: http://weather.uky.edu/public/annual96.txt
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