===
Kentucky Climate Summary
For the Period: October 2013
Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: *
The final numbers for October show that the Commonwealth averaged near normal
temperatures and precipitation, but looking more closely, this month was far from
normal. Temperature-wise, the state saw both ends of the spectrum. High's pushed
into the low to mid 80s at multiple junctures through the first week of the month,
which helped push Kentucky to a week with average temperatures 7 degrees above
normal. This was the highest above normal deviation seen since January.
Temperatures then started to cool off for the second half of the month. Surface high
pressure invaded the Commonwealth following the passage of a cold front on the 19th.
Skies cleared and allowed for temperatures to drop into the mid 30s for many
locations, resulting in the first frost of the fall season. This became an
understatement heading into the next week where multiple cold fronts led to extremely
cool conditions across the state. Surface high pressure of Arctic origin settled
into the area on the 25th and 26th. This brought about a hard freeze with lows each
morning dropping into the mid to upper 20s, essentially bringing an end to the
growing season. Temperatures for the week ended up averaging 10 degrees below normal
across the state, which was the lowest below normal deviation since late in 2010.
Precipitation-wise, while the state ended the month around normal, there were a
couple systems that brought significant widespread rainfall to the Bluegrass State.
The first system came over the first weekend of the month. An area of low pressure
pushed a strong cold front through the region. A very moist air mass in place
allowed for large rainfall totals across the state. Over the weekend most of the
state saw over 2 inches. Louisville got the brunt of the system with
7.53 inches falling during the time frame, which helped push the city to it's wettest
October on record. This was then followed by 3 straight weeks of below normal
rainfall before the month ended with a very wet and windy Halloween. Most locations
saw anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rainfall, but the bigger story was wind gusts.
Winds speeds in excess of 50 mph were common across the area with numerous severe
thunderstorm warnings issued and even some weak tornados. A damage survey
performed by the National Weather Service in Paducah described bean fields as
flattened with the passage of an EF1 tornado through Cunningham, Kentucky with
estimated peak winds of 105 mph. Dr. Chad Lee of UK Plant and Soil Sciences stated in
a recent article that the high winds also led to some downed corn. He
attributes this to a combination of slow dry down, shallow roots, and heavy ears.
Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was near
normal. High temperatures averaged from 69 in the West to 68 in the East. Departure
from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees cooler than normal in the West to
2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 49 degrees
in the West to 49 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged
from 2 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal in the
East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 87 at CALHOUN 5NW and the extreme
low was 21 at VANCEBURG 6W.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.55 inches statewide which was 0.25
inches above normal and 107% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 3.84 inches, Central 3.67 inches, Bluegrass 4.41 inches and East 2.27 inches,
which was 0.33, 0.27, 1.32 and -0.94 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.70 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of
9.64 inches at LOUISVILLE APT.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20131001 to 20131031(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 69 -3 49 2 59 0 3.84 0.33 109 87 23
CENTRAL(CD2) 68 -2 48 2 58 0 3.67 0.27 108 87 22
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 66 -3 47 1 57 0 4.41 1.32 143 86 23
EAST(CD4) 68 -2 49 6 58 1 2.27 -0.94 71 87 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 68 -2 48 2 58 0 3.55 0.25 107 87 21
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period: September 2013
Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: *
September is normally one of the driest months of year for the Bluegrass State and
this year was no exception. The state was below normal by about a half inch for the
month with a little more than 3 inches seen on average. Most of the time, the
Commonwealth was under the influence of high pressure, which acted to keep dry
conditions in place. This was the trend every week except for the third week of the
month when the state received a soaking rainfall event. A strong cold front and
extremely moist air mass led to rainfall totals around an inch statewide. A narrow
corridor extending through central and bluegrass portions of the state received more
than 2 inches. This was the only significant rainfall for the month with other
boundaries playing a larger role in cooling temperatures. There were multiple
occasions where temperatures became fairly cool across the Bluegrass State, but frost
never became an issue. Lows in the lower 40s were common on numerous occasions, with
one occurrence on September 14th. This was around 15 to 20 degrees below normal for
this time of the year.
Temperatures for the period averaged 70 degrees across the state which was 1 degree
warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 81 in the West to 79 in the
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree cooler than
normal in the West to 1 degree cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 60 degrees in the West to 59 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 3
degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period
was 95 at MORGANFIELD 4E and the extreme low was 40 at CYNTHIANA 8N.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.08 inches statewide which was 0.44
inches below normal and 88% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West
3.85 inches, Central 3.83 inches, Bluegrass 2.72 inches and East 1.94 inches, which
was 0.36, -0.04, -0.50 and -1.54 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.04 inches at TRIANGLE MOUNTAIN to a high
of 6.57 inches at SHELBYVILLE 10W.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130901 to 20130930(Last 30 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 81 -1 60 1 71 0 3.85 0.36 110 95 44
CENTRAL(CD2) 80 -1 60 2 70 1 3.83 -0.04 99 93 43
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 79 -1 58 1 68 0 2.72 -0.50 84 92 40
EAST(CD4) 79 -1 59 3 69 1 1.94 -1.54 56 94 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 80 -1 59 2 70 1 3.08 -0.44 88 95 40
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period: August 2013
Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: *
The month of August is usually signaling the end of a long, hot summer, but cool
conditions gave the feel that fall had already returned. Throughout the month, there
were numerous extended periods of well below normal temperatures. Surface high
pressure kept highs in the upper 70s to low 80s throughout the first week of the
month, which is supposed to be one of the warmest periods of the year. Temperatures
were on average 6 degrees below normal, which ended up being the highest below normal
deviation since March. This was then followed by another week with temperatures
hovering in the upper 70s over the month's mid-section. This was nearly 10 degrees
below normal for this time of the year. The most noticeable difference was felt
behind a cold front on the 15th. Clearing skies overnight gave way to lows dropping
into the low to mid 50s. Some locations even plummeted into the mid 40s, which was
nearly 20 degrees below normal. Frankfort ended up tying their daily record low.
Temperatures then recovered the latter 2 weeks of the month. A combination of high
pressure at the surface and ridging aloft allowed for a late season heat wave to take
control of the Ohio Valley. Highs rose into the upper 80s to lower 90s on a daily
basis with the livestock heat stress index moving into the danger and emergency
categories. Morganfield even hit a high of 97 degrees in the western section of the
state.
While it was cool, rainfall was above normal for the third straight month. Most was
focused toward the first half of the August. A very moist and unstable air mass
drenched the Commonwealth over the second week with more than 1.5 inches averaged
across Kentucky. Multiple upper level disturbances rode across a stalled frontal
boundary to create numerous opportunities for rainfall. Activity then carried over
into the month's mid-section with another inch of rainfall before conditions dried
out for the second half. The Jackson National Weather Service did record their
wettest August on record with over 10 inches falling during the period, which was
also the 5th wettest month on record. Overall, the state was only above normal by
0.17 inches with the Bluegrass State averaging just less than 4 inches of rainfall.
Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees
cooler than normal and the same as the previous period. High temperatures averaged
from 84 in the West to 82 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged
from 4 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 4 degrees cooler than normal in the
East. Low temperatures averaged from 66 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the
East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from near normal in the West to 3
degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period
was 97 degrees at MORGANFIELD 4E and the extreme low was 47 degrees at RICHMOND 8E.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.96 inches statewide which was 0.17
inches above normal and 104% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 3.56 inches, Central 4.02 inches, Bluegrass 3.98 inches and East 4.29 inches,
which was 0.04, 0.25, 0.21 and 0.19 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.44 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of
9.97 inches at Jackson.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130801 to 20130831(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 84 -4 66 0 75 -2 3.56 0.04 101 97 51
CENTRAL(CD2) 84 -3 66 1 75 -1 4.02 0.25 107 96 50
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 83 -2 64 0 74 -1 3.98 0.21 106 95 47
EAST(CD4) 82 -4 65 3 73 -1 4.29 0.19 105 93 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 83 -4 65 1 74 -2 3.96 0.17 104 97 47
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period: July 2013
Below Normal Temperatures and Well Above Normal Rainfall: *
Cool temperatures and above normal rainfall made for a very unusual July across the
Commonwealth. Based on averages, July is usually the warmest period of the year with
highs normally in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid to upper 60s. This was
not the case over the course of this past month as several unsettled periods of
weather made for an unseasonably cool period. After the state's second warmest July
on record in 2012, it was followed by the 12th coldest July on record in 2013.
Putting this into perspective, this data goes all the way back to 1895. July was the
first month since March of earlier this year that a below normal temperature
departure was actually seen. Temperatures hovered in the upper 70s to low 80s for
much of the month as numerous systems kept cloud cover overhead and limited daytime
heating. The most significant period occurred over the last week of the month when a
cold front passed through the state on the 23rd, followed by another on the 27th,
acting to reinforce cool and dry air. Low temperatures dropped into the low to mid
50s in many locations, but some even dropped into the upper 40s. This was true in
Henderson, KY when the mercury dropped to 48 on the night of the 27th. Overall, the
end of the month was so cool and dry; it felt more like September than the middle of
the summer. There was really only one week during the middle of the month where it
felt like it really was July. An upper level ridge of high pressure ushered in very
warm and moist air from the south. This made for the first true heat wave of the
summer with temperatures hovering in the upper 80s to low 90s and dew points in the
low 70s. The heat index approached and at times exceeded 100 degrees during this
period with livestock heat stress running high in the danger category for a good
portion of the week.
While it was a mostly cool July, it was also a wet one. The Bluegrass State averaged
over 6 inches of rainfall for the second straight month. Most of this came during
the first week as Kentucky was wedged between a upper level low to the west and a
Bermuda high to the east. Southerly flow ushered in tremendous amounts of moisture
from the Gulf of Mexico and drenched the state. Over this week alone the
Commonwealth averaged over 3.5 inches of rainfall, which made up for nearly 80% of
the state&apos's normal rainfall for the month of July. This put a damper on 4th of July
activities as most were washed out under light to moderate rainfall in central and
Bluegrass portions of the state. One highlight is that drought is nonexistent across
the state this year as Kentucky remains above normal for the year by nearly 4 inches.
Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees
cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 84 in the West to 83 in the East.
Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees cooler than normal in
the West to 4 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged
from 66 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer
than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 96 at CAPE
GIRARDEAU ASOS and the extreme low was 48 at HENDERSON 5E.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 6.16 inches statewide which was 1.81
inches above normal and 142% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 4.65 inches, Central 7.30 inches, Bluegrass 6.62 inches and East 6.06 inches,
which was 0.41, 2.92, 2.36 and 1.56 inches above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.94 inches at CAPE GIRARDEAU ASOS to a high of 13.28
inches at RUSSELLVILLE 2W.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130701 to 20130731(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 84 -5 66 -1 75 -3 4.65 0.41 110 96 48
CENTRAL(CD2) 83 -5 66 0 74 -3 7.30 2.92 167 95 49
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 82 -4 65 0 74 -2 6.62 2.36 155 95 51
EAST(CD4) 83 -4 65 2 74 -1 6.06 1.56 135 94 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 83 -4 66 1 74 -2 6.16 1.81 142 96 48
The image below is from the National Weather Service in Louisville and shows the
high rainfall totals observed over central and Bluegrass portions of the state
on the 4th of July.
Below is a image of rainfall departures across the Bluegrass State. While most did see
above normal rainfall throughout the month of July, parts of the Purchase Area still
saw a negative departure, where portions of the area are 1 to 4 inches below normal for
the month.
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period: June 2013
Above Normal Temperatures and Well Above Normal Rainfall: *
It was a wet June across the Commonwealth with an average of more than 6 inches
drenching the state. This total ended up being over 1.5 inches above normal, in a
month where only 4.34 inches is normal. This made for the 11th wettest June on
record going back to 1895, as three of four weeks witnessed above normal
precipitation. June of 1928 still holds the record with 10.89 inches pummeling the
Bluegrass State. The month started off with a slow moving cold front drifting south
through the state. The western portions of the state saw the most rainfall with this
system as Paducah saw 6 inches in one day. Extensive flooding ensued with many
locations observing flash floods. The last week of the month also brought soaking
conditions. The Bluegrass Region saw an average of almost 3 inches fall over the
course of the week, with most coming as an upper level disturbance slid across the
region on the 26th. Accompanying this event was the second severe weather event of
the month. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds and
heavy rainfall, in addition to a couple tornados. An EF2 touched down in LaRue
County, damaging several barns at a dairy farming operation.
Temperatures remained roughly around normal, but there were instances of temperatures
becoming exceedingly warm. The first heat wave occurred the second week of the month
as a dome of high pressure settled just east of the region. Gusty, southwesterly
flow put temperatures into the low to mid 90s across the entire state. This, in
combination with moisture pushing north from the Gulf, resulted in heat indices
approaching the century mark. Each week throughout the rest of the month had max
temperatures topping out in the low to mid 90s.
While it did get warm on occasions, this June was cool compared to last year.
Putting all of the above information together, this month can be seen as the direct
opposite as last year at this time. Highs averaged in the mid to upper 80s at the
end of June this year, while they were in the mid to upper 90s last year. Max high
temperatures over the last week of June in 2012 ranged from 106 to 110 across the
state. As stated above, the Bluegrass State ended the month with an average of 6.01
inches falling across Kentucky. This was a flood in comparison to the meager 0.88
inches saw across the state last year.
Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees
warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 84 in the West to 82 in the East.
Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees cooler than normal in
the West to 1 degree cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged
from 66 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 3 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer
than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 100 at
POPLAR BLUFF ASOS and the extreme low was 27 at FORT CAMPBELL.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 6.01 inches statewide which was 1.59
inches above normal and 136% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 7.39 inches, Central 4.72 inches, Bluegrass 6.09 inches and East 5.86 inches,
which was 3.08, 0.29, 1.66 and 1.36 inches above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 2.36 inches at BOWLING GREEN APT to a high of 11.50
inches at MADISONVILLE 4S.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130601 to 20130630(Last 30 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 84 -2 66 3 75 1 7.39 3.08 171 100 48
CENTRAL(CD2) 83 -1 64 2 74 1 4.72 0.29 107 95 49
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 82 -1 63 2 72 0 6.09 1.66 137 93 48
EAST(CD4) 82 -1 63 4 73 2 5.86 1.36 130 93 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 83 -1 64 3 74 2 6.01 1.59 136 100 48
The image below is from the National Weather Service in Louisville and shows a large
tree that was blown down in the June 26th line of storms.
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period: May 2013
Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: *
...Sluggish Start to the Growing Season...
The month of May 2013 will stand out due to the sluggish progress of
the growing season for the first half of the month from wet conditions
and cool temperatures left over from March and April. By the third
week of the month field progress slowly moved forward. In addition,
the severe weather season was limited in May 2013 for Kentucky and the
Ohio Valley. Little severe weather occurred. And, while patchy frost
threatened several mornings, most locations did not report a low
temperatures of less than 32 degrees.
Temperatures were above normal the first and third week of the month with the
remaining weeks temperatures averaging below normal and near normal. Rainfall
was above normal for the first half of the month and below normal for the
remainder of the month. The Bluegrass area was the only area that received
above normal rainfall but only slightly. The rest of the state received below
normal rainfall with the northeast counties along the West Virgiana border
only receiving about 50 percent of normal rainfall.
Temperatures for the month of May 2013 averaged 66 degrees across the state
which was 2 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 76 in
the West to 75 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from
2 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 1 degree cooler than normal in the
East. Low temperatures averaged from 57 degrees in the West to 55 degrees in the
East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees warmer than
normal in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high
temperature for the period was 90 at LOUISA 1S and the extreme low was 31 at
PAINTSVILLE 4W.
Rainfall for the period totaled 4.51 inches statewide which was 0.41 inches
below normal and 92% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 4.63
inches, Central 4.90 inches, Bluegrass 4.81 inches and East 3.68 inches, which
was -0.45, -0.24, 0.15 and -1.13 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.32 inches at PIKEVILLE 13S to a
high of 6.29 inches at GLASGOW 11W.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130501 to 20130531(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 76 -2 57 2 67 1 4.63 -0.45 91 90 34
CENTRAL(CD2) 75 -1 56 3 66 1 4.90 -0.24 95 89 32
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 75 0 56 4 65 1 4.81 0.15 103 88 34
EAST(CD4) 75 -1 55 5 65 2 3.68 -1.13 77 90 31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 75 -1 56 4 66 2 4.51 -0.41 92 90 31
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period April 2013
Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: *
Wet conditions continued across the Bluegrass State through the month of April.
Following an above normal March, April followed suit with Kentucky on average, 0.45
inches above normal. Throughout the period, numerous frontal passages pummeled the
state with rainfall. A cold front over the latter half of the second week brought
widespread soaking rains with most seeing more than an inch. The last week was the
wettest as the state averaged over an inch and a half. Unsettled weather featured a
cold front passing through the middle of the work week, followed by a slow moving upper level
disturbance across the weekend. One aspect that was very unusual was a second
straight April with nearly no severe weather. Normally this would be one of the most
active periods of the year, but April of 2013 only saw minimal instances. One came as
a frontal boundary dropped south across primarily the northern portions of the state
on the 16th. Damaging winds and hail were the primary threats.
In regards to temperatures, the state finally broke a streak in the middle of April
of having 7 consecutive weeks of below normal temperatures. This was the first time
Kentucky had been above normal since mid February. Breezy southerly flow throughout
the week kept high temperatures in the 70s and at times, low to mid 80s. Lexington
had even broken a record high on April 10th, where the mercury got to 84. On the
other end of the spectrum, there were periods of cooler temperatures. Clear skies
and nearly calm winds created multiple occasions when patchy frost was a problem.
This was especially true in low lying and sheltered areas the last half of the month
as lows dropped into the upper 20s at times. Overall, although there were times of
extremely cool and warm temperatures, the Bluegrass State ended the month right at
normal with a state average of 56 degrees.
Temperatures for the period averaged 56 degrees across the state which was near
normal. High temperatures averaged from 68 in the West to 69 in the East. Departure
from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in the West to
1 degree warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 47 degrees in
the West to 45 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from
1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal in the East.
The extreme high temperature for the period was 89 at
PEABODY and the extreme low was 18 at VANCEBURG 6W.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.79 inches statewide which was 0.45
inches above normal and 110% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 5.43 inches, Central 5.13 inches, Bluegrass 4.14 inches and East 4.45 inches,
which was 0.51, 0.7, 0.18 and 0.4 inches above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 2.06 inches at LOUISA 1S to a high of 7.96 inches at
MURRAY 1W.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130401 to 20130430(Last 30 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 68 -1 47 1 57 -1 5.43 0.51 110 88 26
CENTRAL(CD2) 68 0 46 2 57 1 5.13 0.70 116 87 24
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 66 0 44 2 55 1 4.14 0.18 105 86 19
EAST(CD4) 69 1 45 5 57 3 4.45 0.40 110 89 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 68 0 46 3 56 0 4.79 0.45 110 89 18
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period March 2013
Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: *
The phrase "What a difference a year makes", took a whole new meaning after this past
March. Following the warmest March on record in 2012, this past month brought much
cooler conditions. The state averaged a chilly 40 degrees, which was 6 degrees below
normal. This is an understatement when looking at last year when temperatures were
on average, 11 degrees above normal. Overall, the cool temperatures this year placed
Kentucky within the top 15 coldest March's on record going back to 1895. Spring
officially started on March 20th, but Mother Nature seemed to miss the memo.
Temperatures were 9 degrees below normal for the last 2 weeks of the month, where
temperatures averaged around 40 degrees. Throughout the period, multiple cold fronts
pummeled the Bluegrass State with reinforcing shots of cooler air. There were times
when Kentucky was situated in extended periods of cloudiness and cool conditions as
the state was situated in northwesterly flow from an upper level low to the
northeast. The NWS in Louisville has stated that only 6 to 7 days throughout the
month were above normal temperatures actually seen. Frankfort even saw a record low
of 14 on March 22nd.
In addition to cooler temperatures, multiple rounds of low pressure also brought
multiple rounds of precipitation. After a dry February, March of 2013 was wet with a
little less than 5 inches falling across the Commonwealth. This was just over a
quarter inch above normal. Most of the precipitation was generated through multiple
low pressure systems and associated frontal boundaries moving through the area. The
most significant came the third week of March, where the Commonwealth saw an average
of just less than 2 inches of precipitation. Lexington set two single day
precipitation records during this week. The first came on the 18th with 1.71 inches
and the second on the 24th of 1.13 inches. While it was March, cool temperatures did
help to generate multiple rounds of snowfall. Multiple pulses of energy wrapping
around the backside of a low pressure system brought on and off chances of snowfall
in the early part of March. A stronger area of low pressure then placed anywhere from
a trace to 3 inches the following week. The Jackson NWS ended the month with 10.7
inches, making for the third snowiest March on record.
Temperatures for the period averaged 40 degrees across the state which was 6 degrees
cooler than normal . High temperatures averaged from 50 in the West to 48 in the
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 10 degrees cooler than
normal in the West to 11 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 34 degrees in the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from normal
low temperature ranged from 3 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees
cooler than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 78 at
PAINTSVILLE 4W and the extreme low was 12 at PAINTSVILLE 4W.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.82 inches statewide which was 0.37
inches above normal and 108% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 4.39 inches, Central 5.46 inches, Bluegrass 4.72 inches and East 4.70 inches,
which was -0.35, 0.77, 0.70 and 0.35 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.59 inches at CAPE GIRARDEAU ASOS to a
high of 6.67 inches at WHITLEY CITY 3N.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130301 to 20130331(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 50 -10 34 -3 42 -6 4.39 -0.35 93 78 17
CENTRAL(CD2) 49 -9 33 -3 41 -6 5.46 0.77 116 75 17
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 47 -9 31 -3 39 -6 4.72 0.70 117 72 13
EAST(CD4) 48 -11 31 -2 40 -6 4.70 0.35 108 78 12
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STATE 48 -10 32 -3 40 -6 4.82 0.37 108 78 12
As stated earlier, March of 2012 and 2013 were very different. Below is a graphic
put out by the NWS in Jackson showing the variation between the two years.
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period February 2013
Near Normal Temperatures and Well Below Normal Rainfall: *
Dry conditions took control of the Bluegrass State through the month of February. The
states average departure of 1.54 inches below normal marked the 9th month of below
average precipitation going back to last February. The only week of this past month
that did see above normal precipitation occurred over the 1st week when a strong
storm system moved through. This was in addition to an Alberta Clipper bringing 1 to
3 inches of snowfall across much of the state. Most of the month was dominated with
high pressure in place or just minor accumulations with numerous frontal passages.
The third week was the driest with a state average of only 0.13 inches, making it the
driest period going back to the third week of November in 2012. Toward the end of
the month, temperatures fluctuated greatly and resulted in a mix of wintery
precipitation falling across the state as a low pressure system moved through.
Freezing rain and sleet were evident from the Purchase area and up around the
northern periphery of the state.
Temperatures ended the month right around normal. Saying this, there were times
throughout the month when Kentucky saw extremely cool temperatures. The first came
over the first night of the month when temperatures dropped well into the single
digits. Lexington got down to 5 degrees. The second cool down came the last week of
the month as an upper level low pressure system kept us in a northwesterly flow
pattern for much of the week. Overcast skies kept temperatures in the 30s, which
were well below normal for this time of the year. Normal highs run in the low 50s.
The end of February also signaled the end of meteorological winter. Although
February was very dry, the months of January and December were exceptionally wet and
resulted in precipitation totals well above normal for the season. The Jackson
NWS saw its 8th wettest winter on record with 14.03 inches of precipitation. Saying
this, the station was over 10 inches below normal in snowfall. Temperatures were
also well above normal with December leading the way at a state average of 6 degrees
above average.
Temperatures for the period averaged 38 degrees across the state which was 0 degrees
from normal. High temperatures averaged from 47 in the West to 47 in the East.
Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees cooler than normal in
the West to 2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from
31 degrees in the West to 29 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 2 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer
than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 68 at FORT
CAMPBELL and the extreme low was 3 at PIKEVILLE 13S.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.13 inches statewide which was 1.54
inches below normal and 58% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West
3.25 inches, Central 1.95 inches, Bluegrass 1.73 inches and East 1.61 inches, which
was 0.83, 2.02, 1.44 and 1.83 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals
ranged from a low of 0.58 inches at BIG SANDY to a high of 4.35 inches at POPLAR BLUFF
ASOS.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130201 to 20130228(Last 28 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 47 -2 31 2 39 0 3.25 -0.83 80 68 10
CENTRAL(CD2) 47 -1 30 2 39 1 1.95 -2.02 49 67 7
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 44 -2 27 1 36 0 1.73 -1.44 55 64 5
EAST(CD4) 47 -2 29 4 38 1 1.61 -1.83 47 65 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 46 -2 29 2 38 0 2.13 -1.54 58 68 3
===
Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] .
For the Period January 2013
Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: *
The drought of 2012 seemed to be an afterthought following the first month of 2013.
Throughout January, multiple systems brought an average of over 5 inches of
precipitation to the Bluegrass State for the second straight month. The most
significant was over the course of the second week when multiple waves of low
pressure made for an above normal state deviation of 1.72 inches. The highest
deviation seen over the entire year of 2012 was only 1.38 inches back in September.
The west even saw an average of just over 6.5 inches for the month, which was over
2.5 inches above normal. This just about ended all drought concerns in the western
portion of the state and put much needed moisture back in the soil for the upcoming
growing season. Only 6.9% of Kentucky is now witnessing abnormally dry conditions
according to the US Drought Monitor.
Temperatures were also well above normal for the month of January. This was
especially true the second week of the month when temperatures were on average 16
degrees above average. Numerous times, Kentucky saw highs jump well into the 60s and
occasionally, low 70s, behind southerly flow patterns. High temperatures were at
times around 25 degrees above our normal highs around 40. While it was a warm month,
the state also saw some cold air outbreaks. Behind some of the stronger cold fronts,
temperatures dropped significantly. This was especially true the third week of the
month when lows dropped well into the single digits in bluegrass and eastern portions
of the state as an Arctic air mass descended over the area. Breezy conditions led
to wind chill values dropping to near 0 at times, which acted to put the livestock
coldstress index into the emergency category.
In addition, the month ended with a significant squall line moving through the area.
Widespread strong to severe storms generated damaging winds and even some short-lived
tornados as it tracked east across the Commonwealth. An EF2 tornado was even
surveyed in Warren County, Kentucky with winds speeds of 120 to 125 mph.
Temperatures for the period averaged 38 degrees across the state which was 5 degrees
warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 46 in the West to 45 in the
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees warmer than
normal in the West to 1 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 30 degrees in the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from normal
low temperature ranged from 5 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 8 degrees
warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 78 at
JACKSON and the extreme low was 6 at PIKEVILLE 13S.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.32 inches statewide which was 1.59
inches above normal and 143% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division,
West 6.54 inches, Central 5.57 inches, Bluegrass 4.27 inches and East 4.89 inches,
which was 2.61, 1.58, 1.05 and 1.1 inches above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 2.48 inches at JACKSON AIRPORT to a high of 8.70 inches
at MARION 4NE.
* = Based on preliminary data
Summarized and averaged data for the period 20130101 to 20130131(Last 31 Days)
(Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages)
AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp
STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST(CD1) 46 3 30 5 38 4 6.54 2.61 166 74 11
CENTRAL(CD2) 46 4 31 6 39 6 5.57 1.58 140 72 11
BLUEGRASS(CD3) 43 2 29 6 36 4 4.27 1.05 133 70 7
EAST(CD4) 45 1 31 8 38 5 4.89 1.10 129 78 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE 45 2 30 6 38 5 5.32 1.59 143 78 6
The image below, provided by the NWS office in Louisville, KY, shows damage to a
farmstead in Warren County, Kentucky following the track of an EF2 tornado through
the area on the 30th.
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