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KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 1997 By: Tom Priddy, UK Agricultural Weather Center * Graphs of Kentucky Monthly Temperature and Rainfall available at: http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/climgraphs/ and weekly graphs available within the UKAWC Kentucky Weather Information Web si te. --- Kentucky Climate Summary: Summary For 1997* Tom Priddy Extension Ag. Meteorologist Ag. Weather Center University of Kentucky Cool, Wet Spring and Summer..Dry remainder of the Year...Cool Harvest Season in Kentucky for 1997. Weather for 1997 was extremely variable to say the least. Of the three months of 1997 that received ABOVE NORMAL rainfall (Mar, May and June)...two of those months received record or near-record monthly rainfall totals. A cool spring and first half of the summer combined with the early wet conditions kept producers out of the Kentucky fields during that period. Very mild temperatures during Feb. provided a very early start (and much anticaption) to the growing season. Alfalfa weevil degree days exceed 190 during the final week in March. March 1997 was the wettest March this century in Kentucky. And from early April through June, extremely cool temperatures and continued very wet conditions combined to paralyze agricultural operations in Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. The last spring frost was April 18th for most locations in Southern Kentucky, while some Northern Kentucky locations reported a reading of 32 degrees on May 16th. The month of May 1997, finished up as one of the top 5 coolest month's for the past 100 years. Field operations got back on track during the latter part of June and continued through much of July due to an increase in temperatures. Monthly rainfall totals, however, took a nose-dive statewide for the remainder of the year. Each month for the period July through December received BELOW NORMAL monthly rainfall and for this reason the lack of adequate rainfall became a concern. Very timely rainfall events in August provided some relief to dry soils and parched crops. Fall and the remainder of 1997 provided a dry harvest season, yet cool temperatures in later October and all of November slowed curing conditions in Kentucky barns. Growing degree days for corn (base 50 mod.) started off slow, were 200 to 300 GDD's BELOW NORMAL by mid-summer and never recovered by first fall frost/freeze. Temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20's over most of the Bluegrass state on the morning of Oct 23 ending the growing season in Kentucky. Temperatures for the year averaged 55 degrees across the state which was NEAR NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 66 in the West to 65 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 47 degrees in the West to 45 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature was NEAR NORMAL across the state. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for 1997 totaled 49.02 inches statewide which was 0.88 inches ABOVE NORMAL. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 49.86 inches, Central 52.49 inches, Bluegrass 49.16 inches and East 45.79 inches, which was 0.16, +1.94, +3.82 and -2.07 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 36.2 inches at Huntington to a high of 59.1 inches at Lexington. 1997 Monthly Temperatures for Kentucky YR Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann Temp 32.5 41.8 48.6 50.1 59.1 70.1 76.3 73.0 67.3 56.2 42.9 36.1 54.5 Norm 31.8 35.7 46.0 55.4 64.0 72.1 75.8 74.5 68.1 56.5 46.5 36.7 55.3 Dept .7 6.1 2.6 -5.3 -4.9 -2.0 .5 -1.5 -.8 -.3 -3.6 -.6 -.8 1997 Monthly Rainfall for Kentucky Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann Rain 3.29 3.12 10.24 2.58 5.55 7.40 2.48 3.38 2.38 1.94 3.40 2.26 49.02 Norm 3.38 3.68 4.66 4.31 4.78 3.92 4.76 3.79 3.60 3.00 3.98 4.28 48.14 Dept .70 -.56 6.58-1.72 .77 3.48-2.28 -.41-1.22 -1.06 -.58 -2.02 -.9 * Based on National Weather Service First-Order Weather Stations and preliminary data from the Kentucky Agricultural Weather Stations LISTED BELOW ARE THE MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARIES FOR 1997 --- Kentucky Climate Summary: For December 1997* The first half of December 1997 received BELOW NORMAL temperatures with the remainder of the month generally ABOVE NORMAL temperatures. Precipitations was BELOW NORMAL for the first three weeks with the final week receiving ABOVE NORMAL precipitation. Very Cold weather conditions for most of the first full week. Snowfall occurred over the state the first week with generally 1 inch depths and up to 3 inches reported at some Southeastern locations (Jackson). The second week continued the Cold, Cloudy weather from the previous week with a Wintery Mix of very light rain and snow flurries through most of the workweek. The third week's weather flip-flop with Unseasonably mild and dry conditions. The remainder of the month including Christmas 1997 was rainy and mild. Colder temperatures and snow occurred towards new year's eve. Temperatures for the month averaged 36.1 degrees across the state which was less than 1 degree BELOW NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 44 in the West to 44 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 1 degree BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 30 degrees in the West to 30 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree ABOVE NORMAL in the West to 6 ABOVE NORMAL degrees from normal in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the upper 50's to low 60's and extreme lows were in the upper teen's. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the month totaled 2.26 inches statewide which was 2.02 inches BELOW NORMAL. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.46 inches, Central 2.92 inches, Bluegrass 2.23 inches and East 1.66 inches, which was 2.212, 1.75, 1.57 and 2.49 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.35 inches at Huntington to a high of 4.75 inches at Nashville. Snowfall totals for the month ranged from 1 to 2 inches in Western locations to 8 to 10 inches in the East (Paducah: 1.8 in, Louisville: 4.3 in, Cincinnati: 2.9 in, Lexington: 2.2 in, Jackson: 10.7 in). --- Kentucky Climate Summary: November 1997* The weather for November 1997 was unseasonably COOL for the first three (3) weeks. The final week of the month was VERY MILD. Temperatures for the month averaged 43 degrees across the state which was 3.6 degrees BELOW NORMAL. High temperatures for the month averaged from 52 in the West to 50 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 8 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 6 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures for the month averaged from 37 degrees in the West to 35 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 1 degree ABOVE NORMAL in the East. Extreme high temperatures occurred during the final week of November with temperatures near 70 degrees and extreme lows occurred during the third week with temperatures in the teens. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the month totaled 3.40 inches statewide which was 0.58 inches BELOW NORMAL. Snowfall occurred during the second workweek but provided little accumulation for most locations, however, some Southern locations reported around an inch of snow (Princeton 1.5 inches). Heavy rain covered the state on the final weekend of the month with most locations reporting 1 inch and greater rainfall amounts. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.95 inches, Central 3.29 inches, Bluegrass 3.24 inches and East 3.92 inches, which was -1.56, -0.97, -0.35 and +0.02 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, precipitation totals in Kentucky ranged from a low of 1.85 inches at Paducah to a high of 4.27 inches at Glasgow. --- Kentucky Climate Summary: OCTOBER 1997* Dry conditions with ABOVE NORMAL temperatures occurred for the first week; unseasonably mild temperatures and limited rainfall continued rapid crop drydown conditions during the second week; Cool temperatures Dominate the third week; and frost/freezing temperatures and dry conditions ended The 1997 Growing Season during the remainder of the month. Temperatures for October 1997 averaged 56.2 degrees across the state which was NEAR NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 70 in the West to 68 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 1 degrees ABOVE NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 47 degrees in the West to 44 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 1 degree BELOW NORMAL in the East. Frost/freezing temperatures occurred on Oct 22/23. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the October totaled 1.94 inches statewide which was 1.06 inches BELOW NORMAL. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.14 inches, Central 2.09 inches, Bluegrass 1.77 inches and East 1.80 inches, which was 0.928, 0.936, 1.08 and 1.28 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.81 inches at Huntington to a high of 3.23 inches at Somerset. --- Kentucky Climate Summary: For September 1997* Cool for most of September 1997 with BELOW NORMAL rainfall: Temperatures for September 1997 averaged 67.38 degrees across the state which was nearly 1 degree BELOW NORMAL. But for most of the month, an upper- level trough covered most of Kentucky and the Eastern U.S. This trough provided Northwesterly air flow and cooler than normal temperatures for 3 out of 4 weeks of September. Record low temperatures were reported on Sept 4-5, and near-record lows occurred during the fourth week. The third full week experienced high temperatures 6 to 10 degrees ABOVE NORMAL for most of the week which offset monthly temperatures departures closer to normal for the state. High temperatures for the month averaged from 81 in the West to 78 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures for the month were NEAR NORMAL statewide. Low temperatures for the month averaged from 58 degrees in the West to 56 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature were NEAR NORMAL statewide. Paducah reported only 3 days with high temperatures equal to or greater than 90 degrees...Lexington reported only 2 days...Jackson, London and Covington reported no days of 90 degrees or greater. Rainfall for the month totaled 2.38 inches statewide which was 1.22 inches BELOW NORMAL. However, extreme Southern portions of the state faired better receiving NEAR to ABOVE NORMAL rainfall for the month. Rainfall on Saturday, Sep 20 provided one-half inch to near 1 inch amounts to some Western and many Central and Eastern locations. Also on this date doppler radar indicated rainfall amounts of over 3 inches in Northern Pulaski county. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.05 inches, Central 2.45 inches, Bluegrass 1.99 inches and East 2.84 inches, which was 1.59, 1.39, 1.42 and 0.70 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, rainfall totals in Kentucky ranged from a low of 0.56 inches at Covington to a high of 4.13 inches at Glasgow. Paducah reported 26 days with fog...Jackson 14 days. Most weather stations in Kentucky reported only 6 to 8 days with measureable rainfall. * Graphs of Kentucky Monthly Temperature and Rainfall available at: http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/climgraphs/ and weekly graphs available within the UKAWC Kentucky Weather Information Web site. --- Kentucky Climate Summary: For August 1997* A Cool August with BELOW NORMAL rainfall: Temperatures for the month averaged 73 degrees across the state which was 1.5 degrees BELOW NORMAL. The first, second and final weeks of August received BELOW NORMAL temperatures. High temperatures averaged from 85 in the West to 83 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 1 BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 65 degrees in the West to 62 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperatures ranged from 1 degrees ABOVE NORMAL in the West to NEAR NORMAL in the East. Rainfall for the month totaled 3.38 inches statewide which was 0.36 inches BELOW NORMAL. At least two very timely rainfall events during the middle and third weeks of the month provided much need soil moisture recharge for much of the state. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 3.06 inches, Central 3.48 inches, Bluegrass 3.11 inches and East 3.73 inches, which was 0.57, 0.37, 0.68 and 0.22 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 1.68 inches at Bristol to a high of 5.35 inches at Somerset. --- Kentucky Climate Summary: July 1997* Below normal rainfall and roller-coaster temperatures: Temperatures for July 1997 were BELOW NORMAL for the first half of the month and generally ABOVE NORMAL the second half. Temperatures for the month as a whole averaged 76.3 degrees across the state which was less than 1 degree ABOVE NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 89 in the West to 86 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures were NEAR NORMAL for far West and far East but 1 to 2 degrees ABOVE NORMAL for the Central and Bluegrass areas. Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperatures were 0.5 degrees ABOVE NORMAL statewide, except in the Central area were departure from normal was 2 degrees ABOVE NORMAL. Extreme high temperatures reached or exceeded 100 degrees for several locations during the latter part of the third week. Extreme low tempertures plunged to the mid to upper 50's during the first and final week of July 1997 . It was a DRY July with all stations in Kentucky recording very few rainfall events. Lexington reported a one-day event of nearly 3 inches (21st/22nd) and Paducah had a one-day rain of nearly 2 inches. Rainfall for the month totaled 2.48 inches statewide which was 2.28 inches BELOW NORMAL. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.69 inches, Central 1.17 inches, Bluegrass 2.22 inches and East 3.42 inches, which was 1.59, 3.77, 2.53 and 1.58 inches BELOW NORMAL. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 0.06 inches at Bowling Green to a high of 4.63 inches at Huntington. --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the month: June 1997* THIRD WETTEST JUNE IN HISTORY FOR LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE. Record rainfall amounts fell in June....Lexington received 9.54 inches and Louisville 8.15 inches. SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL temperatures with MUCH ABOVE NORMAL rainfall was common across the state for the month of June. Temperatures for JUNE averaged 70.1 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees BELOW NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 81 in the West to 78 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 5 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 65 degrees in the West to 61 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree ABOVE NORMAL in the West to 1 degree BELOW NORMAL in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 7.40 inches statewide which was 3.48 inches MUCH ABOVE NORMAL. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 5.83 inches, Central 8.14 inches, Bluegrass 8.82 inches and East 7.14 inches, which was +2.05, +4.06, +5.01 and +3.14 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.82 inches at Bristol TN; in Kentucky...4.69 inches at Bowling Green; 6.59 inches at Paducah; 9.54 inches at Lexington; 8.15 inches at Louisville; Jackson 9.15 inches; Berea 10.46 inches; and Hardinsburg 10.72 inches to a high of 11.12 inches at Somerset. ------ Kentucky Climate Summary For the Month: May 1997* Heavy rainfall at month's end raised monthly totals from near normal up to MUCH ABOVE NORMAL for most of Kentucky with cool monthly temperatures in the record books as one of the five coolest in the past 100 years. Temperatures for May 1997 averaged 59.1 degrees across the state which was 4.9 degrees BELOW NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 73 in the West to 71 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 7 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 5 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 51 degrees in the West to 48 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 7 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. Rainfall for May 1997 totaled 5.55 inches statewide which was 0.77 inches ABOVE NORMAL. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 6.41 inches, Central 5.63 inches, Bluegrass 5.70 inches and East 4.72 inches, which was 1.56, 0.53, 1.02 and 0.08 inches respectively ABOVE NORMAL. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 2.95 inches at Huntington to a high of 8.07 inches at Lexington. --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the Month: April 1997* The 8th Coolest April with Little Snow and BELOW NORMAL rainfall: Temperatures for the APRIL 1997 averaged 50.1 degrees across the state which was 5.3 degrees BELOW NORMAL. For the state as a whole... April 1997 was the 8th coldest April in the last 103 years. Very few locations reported any days with maximum temperatures of 80 degrees (F) or greater, except in the Western part of the state. Louisville's average low temperature for April was the lowest since April 1907. High temperatures averaged from 64 in the West to 63 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 7 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 3 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 41 degrees in the West to 39 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the West to 6 degrees BELOW NORMAL in the East. The cool temperatures for April also depressed soil temperatures with the average soil temperature in the low to mid 50's at 4 inches under a sod cover. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the month of April 1997 totaled 2.58 inches statewide which was 1.72 inches BELOW NORMAL. Some Northwest locations, along the Ohio River reported near to slightly above normal rainfall for the month. But even with the generally below normal rainfall, timely rainfall at month's end replenished soil moisture in the topsoil. Also, no measurable snow was reported by any first-order weather stations (NWS weather offices) during the month. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 4.64 inches, Central 2.21 inches, Bluegrass 1.78 inches and East 1.81 inches, which was 0.14, 2.25, 2.29 and 2.20 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 1.19 inches at Grayson to a high of 5.03 inches at Paducah. --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the March 1997 WETTEST March This Century! Preliminary summary of Kentucky weather observations indicated that March 1997 was the wettest March this century for not only locations in the Central and Bluegrass areas of the state... but the entire state as a whole. Much above normal temperatures and extreme surplus rainfall dominated the month. The month began with record rainfall (3/1 - 3/3) that produced flooding across the state. Locations along Kentucky's waterways, especially near the Ohio River and cities away from waterways suffered record and near-record flooding. Cynthiana in Harrison County, KY north of Lexington, was totally covered with flood water. ABOVE normal rainfall occurred each week during March, except the third week which received BELOW normal rainfall. Before the month ended, tornadoes whipped across Central, Bluegrass and Southeast locations causing major damage, numerous injuries, and at least one death in Hammonville, KY (Hart County). Tornadoes, hail and damage due to high winds were reported in Hart, Metcalf, Hardin, Adair and several Southeast counties on Friday evening (3/28). Temperatures for the period averaged 48.6 degrees across the state which was 2.6 degrees ABOVE normal. High temperatures averaged from 61 in the West to 60 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from NEAR normal in the West to 6 degrees ABOVE normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 39 degrees in the West to 39 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees ABOVE normal in the West to 5 degrees ABOVE normal in the East. Soil temperatures at 4 inches under a grass cover started the month in the mid 40's and averaged near 50 degrees at month's end. With the exception of extreme Northern locations, most of KY had exceeded 190 alfalfa weevil degree days (AWDD's) third week of March 1997, which was several weeks ahead of normal. Some Southern locations had exceeded 350 AWDD's. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 11.24 inches statewide which was 6.58 inches ABOVE normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 10.64 inches, Central 13.74 inches, Bluegrass 12.17 inches and East 9.29 inches, which was 5.65, 8.87, 7.70 and 4.84 inches respectively ABOVE normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a low of 5.86 inches at Cape Girardeau to a high of 14.92 inches at Nolin Lake. Other notable offical and unoffical rainfall totals for the March 1997... Location Monthly Total Departure Paducah 7.42 inches (+ 2.50) Evansville 6.90 (+ 2.19) Louisville Airport 12.23 (+ 7.57) Louisville (Southside)* 17.52 (+12.86) Lexington 13.82 (+ 9.42) Cincinnati 6.00 (+ 1.76) Jackson 9.76 (+ 4.99) * = unoffical Snowfall was non-exitant during March of 1997 leaving seasonal snowfall totals MUCH BELOW normal. --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the month of February 1997 Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. The first, third and final full weeks of February 1997 received much above normal temperatures with only the second full week averaging below normal temperatures. Rainfall by week was generally below normal except the first and final full week of February 1997 receiving much above normal rainfall. Temperatures for the month averaged 42 degrees across the state which was 6 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 50 in the West to 51 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from near normal in the West to 7 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 35 degrees in the West to 35 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 8 degrees above normal in the West to 9 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.12 inches statewide which was 0.56 inches BELOW NORMAL. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.79 inches, Central 3.71 inches, Bluegrass 2.88 inches and East 2.35 inches, which was 0.26, 0.25, 0.29 and 1.23 inches respectively BELOW NORMAL. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.76 inches at Huntington to a high of 5.32 inches at Paducah. Snowfall was light for the month with only 1 to 3 inches received statewide with some Northern parts of the state receiving nearly 5 inches (Covington). Selected Locations Rainfall Totals and Deviation from Normal (In inches) Rain Location Rainfall Total Deviation Snow Paducah 5.32" +1.42" 5.3" Evansville IN 3.35 +0.23 1.8 Louisville 3.75 +0.45 2.4 Covington 2.14 -0.55 4.7 Lexington 3.96 +0.75 2.9 Jackson 2.97 -0.85 2.9 Nashville TN 2.04 -1.77 0.0 --- Kentucky Climate Summary January 1997 Temperatures for the period averaged 32.5 degrees across the state which was near 1 degree ABOVE NORMAL. High temperatures averaged from 40 in the West to 44 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 24 degrees in the West to 26 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the month totaled 3.29 inches statewide which was 0.09 inches BELOW NORMAL. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.20 inches, Central 3.66 inches, Bluegrass 3.25 inches and East 3.11 inches, which was -0.26, +0.16, +0.30 and -0.45 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.86 inches at Huntington to a high of 4.30 inches at Henderson.

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