KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 2015 By: Tom Priddy and Matt Dixon -- UK Agricultural Weather Center * Based on Preliminary Data. Weekly graphs available within the UKAWC Kentucky Weather Information Web site. Sources: UKAWC, NCDC and Midwest Regional Climate Center === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period December 2015 Record Breaking Temperatures and Much Above Normal Precipitation: 2015 came to an end with an exceptionally warm and wet month of December. In fact, it was the warmest December on record for the Bluegrass State with data going back to 1895. The average state temperature for the month came in at 48.6 degrees, which is 12 degrees above normal. This ended up being the fourth straight month that the Bluegrass State has seen above normal temperatures. Records fell on numerous occasions throughout the month as temperatures rose into the 70s at times, which was around 25 to 30 degrees above normal. In fact, the official start of winter on the 21st was followed by one of the warmest days of the month on the 23rd. High temperatures jumped into the mid 60s to around 70. According to the National Weather Service in Louisville, this past month would be the warmest December on record for Bowling Green and Frankfort, along with being the 2nd warmest for Louisville and Lexington. In addition to the warmth was excessive rainfall. The Bluegrass State averaged over 6 inches for December, making it one of the wettest on record. This past month places 11th on the wettest December's on record. Looking back, this was Kentucky’s third straight month of above normal precipitation. Most of the rain fell over the latter half of the month, leading to some flooding across the area. Between the 21st and 27th, the state averaged over 3.5 inches behind multiple frontal boundaries and disturbances pushing through the state. Temperatures for the period averaged 49 degrees across the state which was 11 degrees warmer than normal. Temperatures averaged from 48 in the West to 49 in the East. Departure from normal temperatures ranged from 11 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 12 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 78 at PAINTSVILLE 4W and the extreme low was 18 at BARBOURVILLE 3E. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 6.74 inches statewide which was 2.46 inches above normal and 157% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 7.19 inches, Central 7.68 inches, Bluegrass 6.93 inches and East 5.60 inches, which was 2.62, 2.85, 2.95 and 1.73 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.11 inches at BRANDENBURG 4SW to a high of 9.39 inches at BENTON 4N. * = Based on preliminary data === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period November 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Precipitation: * The warm temperatures were the story of November 2015. On average, the state was 4 degrees above normal for the month, which resulted in a 3rd straight month of above normal temperatures. This placed as the 7th warmest November on record for the Bluegrass State with records going back to 1895. As seen in the map below, it can be seen that the same warm trend held true for much of the eastern half of the United States. Cold air outbreaks were nearly nonexistent with the coldest temperatures coming on the 23rd with much of the state waking up to readings in the upper teens to low 20s. Depending on location, the warm weather was accompanied by either above or below normal rainfall. Monthly totals averaged over 6 inches across Western Kentucky, before diminishing to a little over 2.5 inches across Eastern Kentucky.

Temperatures for the period averaged 52 degrees across the state which was 4 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 62 in the West to 62 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 3 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 44 degrees in the West to 43 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 9 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 82 at PEABODY and the extreme low was 15 at BOONEVILLE 2S. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.31 inches statewide which was 0.4 inches above normal and 110% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 6.72 inches, Central 4.80 inches, Bluegrass 3.13 inches and East 2.58 inches, which was 2.20, 0.69, -0.28 and -1.00 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.28 inches at LOUISA 1S to a high of 10.83 inches at POPLAR BLUFF ASOS. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20151101 to 20151130(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) 62 3 44 6 53 4 6.72 2.20 149 80 17 CENTRAL(CD2) 62 4 44 7 53 5 4.80 0.69 117 80 18 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 60 3 42 5 50 3 3.13 -0.28 92 78 17 EAST(CD4) 62 3 43 9 52 5 2.58 -1.00 72 82 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 62 4 43 6 52 4 4.31 0.40 110 82 15 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period October 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Rainfall: * October is typically one of the driest months of the year for the Bluegrass State. Most of October 2015 followed that trend with three straight weeks of below normal rainfall to begin the month. The dry conditions were most noticeable in Western Kentucky where the US Drought Monitor had much of the area under a 'Moderate Drought' or 'Abnormally Dry Conditions'. Rain was needed and the skies opened over the last week of October, leading to much above normal rainfall for the Commonwealth. Other than Eastern Kentucky, the majority of the state averaged over two inches for the week behind multiple rounds of widespread showers ahead of a low pressure system to the south. After three straight weeks of below normal rainfall, the last week of October actually pushed the state about a half inch above normal for the month. Behind a couple cold fronts, areas of frost developed on the nights of the 16th and 17th, bringing an end to the growing season. The night of the 17th was the coldest as much of the state dropped below freezing. Many rural locations dipped into the mid to upper 20s. This would be about 15 to 20 degrees below normal for that point in the year. Looking below at the average dates of a first freeze across the state, middle to late October is common. Temperatures for the period averaged 59 degrees across the state which was 1 degree warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 71 in the West to 68 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree 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 48 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 87 at BURLINGTON 4S and the extreme low was 24 at CYNTHIANA 8N. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.44 inches statewide which was 0.14 inches above normal and 104% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.56 inches, Central 4.18 inches, Bluegrass 3.57 inches and East 2.43 inches, which was 0.05, 0.78, 0.48 and -0.78 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.77 inches at KOOMER RIDGE to a high of 6.07 inches at BRANDENBURG 4SW. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20151001 to 20151031(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) 71 -1 49 2 60 1 3.56 0.05 101 86 26 CENTRAL(CD2) 69 -1 49 3 59 1 4.18 0.78 123 86 25 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 67 -2 48 2 58 1 3.57 0.48 116 87 24 EAST(CD4) 68 -2 48 5 58 1 2.43 -0.78 76 84 26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 69 -1 48 2 59 1 3.44 0.14 104 87 24 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period September 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: Precipitation has followed an up and down trend throughout the year. There have been multiple periods where drought entered into the picture, but at the same time, were followed by extreme precipitation events. September kept that trend in place. The opening week of the month brought extremely warm temperatures and dry conditions. Labor Day weekend saw temperatures in the low to mid 90s across much of the state. The state averaged less than a tenth of an inch over the same span and after going through an exceptionally wet summer, abnormally dry conditions were once again showing up across the state. In the article found here, the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report points to some of the agricultural impacts seen across the state. Cooler temperatures invaded the area behind a cold front on the 9th, along with scattered to numerous showers and storms, but activity was not widespread across the entire area. After another couple dry weeks to end the month, the US Drought Monitor reintroduced 'Moderate Drought' to South-Central Kentucky and up into the Southern Bluegrass, along with a slight portion of Southeastern Kentucky. Over half remained abnormally dry. Heading into the closing days of September, the state had seen much below normal rainfall three of the past four weeks. While the state did need some rainfall, the dry pattern setup a lengthy period of excellent harvesting conditions. With that said, the skies opened at the end of the month, leading to an abundant amount of rainfall as several disturbances rotated around an upper level low to the south. The first update to the US Drought Monitor in October removed any mention of 'Moderate Drought', while also diminishing the coverage of area seeing 'Abnormally Dry Conditions'. Below is a timeline, showing how drought conditions changed throughout the month of September across the state of Kentucky. All maps are taken from each update of the US Drought Monitor. Anything shaded in yellow signifies 'Abnormally Dry Conditions', while light brown stands for 'Moderate Drought'.

Temperatures for the period averaged 71 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees warmer than normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous period. High temperatures averaged from 83 in the West to 80 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to near normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 60 degrees in the West to 60 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 97 degrees at BOWLING GREEN APT and the extreme low was 34 degrees at WILLIAMSBURG AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.64 inches statewide which was 0.88 inches below normal and 75% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.62 inches, Central 3.02 inches, Bluegrass 2.99 inches and East 2.93 inches, which was 1.87, 0.85, 0.23 and 0.55 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.49 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of 7.11 inches at STANFORD 4NE. Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150901 to 20150930(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) 83 1 60 1 72 1 1.62 -1.87 46 96 41 CENTRAL(CD2) 82 1 59 1 71 2 3.02 -0.85 78 97 42 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 81 1 59 2 70 2 2.99 -0.23 93 95 41 EAST(CD4) 80 0 60 4 70 2 2.93 -0.55 84 94 34 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 82 1 60 2 71 2 2.64 -0.88 75 97 34 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: August 2015 Below Normal Temperatures and Rainfall: * Temperatures for the period averaged 73 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees cooler than normal. 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 64 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 1 degree warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 96 at BOWLING GREEN 4E and the extreme low was 48 at BRANDENBURG 4SW. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.75 inches statewide which was 1.04 inches below normal and 73% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.01 inches, Central 2.28 inches, Bluegrass 2.65 inches and East 3.07 inches, which was 0.51, 1.49, 1.12 and 1.03 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.06 inches at PEABODY to a high of 6.30 inches at CADIZ 4SW. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150801 to 20150831(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 64 -2 74 -3 3.01 -0.51 86 95 48 CENTRAL(CD2) 83 -4 63 -2 73 -3 2.28 -1.49 60 96 48 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 82 -3 62 -2 72 -3 2.65 -1.12 70 90 49 EAST(CD4) 82 -4 63 1 73 -1 3.07 -1.03 75 93 49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 83 -4 63 -1 73 -2 2.75 -1.04 73 96 48 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: July 2015 Near Normal Temperatures and Record Breaking Rainfall: * "When is it going to stop raining?" – One of the most common questions asked to the Weather Center over the first half of July, but for good reason. This was the WETTEST July on record for the Bluegrass State with data going back into the late 1800's. How wet was it? Officially, the state averaged 8.99 inches, which is over four and a half inches above normal. This beat out the previous record of 8.25 inches, set all the way back in 1910. Looking back at 1910, Professor H.C. Frankenfield offered an interesting insight on impacts of the excessive rainfall in Kentucky. He stated in his 'Rivers and Floods' update that a tremendous amount of damage was seen due to torrential rainfall and associated tributary overflow. He related the damage to tobacco and property loss, at the value of two million dollars.

Fast forward to 2015 and flooding was once again an issue. The month started off with the state situated within a northwest flow aloft, which directed a number of disturbances into the Lower Ohio Valley. Interacting with a frontal boundary at the surface, storms were fired on a daily basis. A very moist air mass combined with already saturated grounds and led to the threat of flash flooding. During this first week, the state averaged nearly three inches. According to normals, Kentucky typically only sees 4 to 4.5 inches for the entire month. The active pattern didn't end there and remained in place for the first half of the month. A combination of frontal boundaries and upper level disturbances kept flooding in the picture. The USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report continually described the damage to crops on a week to week basis with some underwater and destroyed. Multiple rounds of rainfall kept hay from being harvested and resulted in diminished quality. Other crops were showing signs of stress and led to yellowing fields. Dr. Chad Lee, Extension Professor and Agronomist at the University of Kentucky, put together an excellent article on yellow soybeans and the need for sun, found here. Dr. John Strang, UK Extension Horticulturist, also described the difficulty that had came with finding a day to spray in the latest edition of Kentucky Fruit Facts. Some of the worst impacts to the excessive rainfall were felt in Eastern Kentucky. The National Weather Service in Jackson put together a summary of the flash flooding seen across the area on the 13th and 14th. The worst of it was felt in Johnson County, where radar indicated estimates of around 3 inches per hour. The Commonwealth didn't get much of a break until the latter half of the month. The state actually saw below normal precipitation for a couple straight weeks, breaking a five week span of much above normal precipitation. Going back to March, four of the past five months have now seen above normal precipitation. Between the beginning of January and end of July, the state has averaged 37.04 inches. Since 1895, this year would place as the 8th wettest for that time span. Temperatures were actually near normal for the month. Cloud cover and abundant rainfall kept the mercury at bay for much of the period, but there were multiple times when extreme heat built into the area. The heat index pushed to around 110 on several occasions in Western Kentucky as temperatures peaked in the mid 90s and combined with muggy conditions. The National Weather Service in Paducah put together the image below showing the highest heat index values on the 29th. This pushed the livestock heat stress index into the emergency category.

* = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150701 to 20150731(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) 87 -2 71 4 79 1 7.71 3.47 182 97 60 CENTRAL(CD2) 86 -2 69 3 78 1 6.90 2.52 158 95 58 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 84 -2 67 2 75 -1 8.70 4.44 204 94 57 EAST(CD4) 84 -3 67 4 76 1 7.76 3.26 172 94 57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 85 -2 68 3 77 0 7.77 3.42 179 97 57 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: June 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation: * June 1st signaled the first day of summer and right on cue, heat and humidity was on the return. Throughout the month, the Bluegrass State saw numerous times when temperatures rose past the 90 degree threshold. The most significant period came the second week of the month when an upper level ridge bumped highs into the mid 80s to low 90s on a consistent basis. Dewpoints in the upper 60s to low 70s made for a very humid air mass, pushing the livestock heat stress index into the danger category. The heat was taken a step further over the latter half of the month with numerous locations rising into the mid 90s. Livestock stress reached the emergency category over the last week of June as high humidity made it feel more like 100 at times. After going through an extremely cold winter, the state has now gone three straight months with above normal temperatures. Precipitation came in slightly above normal for the month of June, but not before starting the month with 2 more weeks of below normal rainfall. At that time, the Commonwealth had seen below normal rainfall for seven of the past eight weeks. In fact, the US Drought Monitor reintroduced Moderate Drought to portions of Southeastern Kentucky and the Northern Bluegrass. Concerns subsided over the latter half of the month as the state was pushed into a very active and wet pattern. A combination of frontal boundaries, disturbances aloft, and even the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill left the state with an abundance of rainfall. A moist air mass allowed for torrential rainfall at times. Through the last two weeks of June, the state averaged over 3.5 inches. Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 85 in the West to 83 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in the West to near normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 64 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 96 at BOWLING GREEN 4E and the extreme low was 50 at GREENVILLE 6N. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.20 inches statewide which was 0.78 inches above normal and 118% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.32 inches, Central 5.34 inches, Bluegrass 6.15 inches and East 4.98 inches, which was 0.01, 0.91, 1.72 and 0.48 inches above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.17 inches at HICKMAN 2E to a high of 9.53 inches at HARRODSBURG 3N. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150601 to 20150630(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) 85 -1 67 4 76 2 4.32 0.01 100 95 50 CENTRAL(CD2) 84 0 66 4 75 2 5.34 0.91 121 96 50 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 82 -1 64 3 73 1 6.15 1.72 139 94 51 EAST(CD4) 83 0 64 5 74 3 4.98 0.48 111 95 51 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 84 0 65 4 74 2 5.20 0.78 118 96 50 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: May 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation: * After getting drenched in April, May went down the opposite road. The month started off very dry with little to no rainfall for much of the state as high pressure kept rainfall at bay. Initially, after being forced out of the field for much of April, the dry conditions pushed corn planting into full swing. Planting progress quickly caught up and surpassed the five year average, but after a couple straight weeks of dry weather, moisture was again a need. Western Kentucky did see abundant rainfall over the third weekend of the month (average of 1.79 inches), but totals diminished farther east with Eastern Kentucky only coming in at a little over a half inch for the three day period. The USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report also stated that dry pasture conditions led to producers feeding hay to cattle. For the first time since March 3rd, the May 26th update to the US Drought Monitor reintroduced abnormally dry conditions to the majority of the eastern half of the state (image below).

Climatologically speaking, May is the wettest month of the year for the Bluegrass State, but by the end of May, five of the past six weeks had seen below normal rainfall. For the month, the state only averaged 2.55 inches, well below the norm of 5.29. In fact, it was the 16th driest May on record for the state of Kentucky with data going back to 1895 (image above). The Bluegrass area and Eastern Kentucky each averaged less than two inches. Temperatures-wise, it was a typical spring-like pattern with your usual up and down temperature swings. The Commonwealth hit the upper 80s to low 90s multiple times throughout the month, pushing the state to a rather mild May as a whole, nearly three degrees above normal. Looking the other direction, max temperatures did not get out of the 50s for many locations on the 21st, before dropping into the upper 30s that night. These temperatures are more typical of mid-March. May is typically one of the more active months when it comes to severe weather in Kentucky, but that was not the case this year. Occurrences were far and few between. One event occurred on the 11th as a squall line pushed through the region. UK Ag Weather had the opportunity to accompany the National Weather Service in Louisville on a storm survey (Scott County). A picture below displays some of the damage, which was determined to be caused by straight-line winds as a squall line moved through the area.

Temperatures for the period averaged 68 degrees across the state which was 4 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 78 in the West to 80 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from near normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 58 degrees in the West to 56 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 90 at BOWLING GREEN APT and the extreme low was 34 at MONTICELLO AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.80 inches statewide which was 2.12 inches below normal and 57% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.38 inches, Central 2.92 inches, Bluegrass 1.93 inches and East 1.97 inches, which was 0.7, 2.22, 2.73 and 2.84 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.86 inches at TRIANGLE MOUNTAIN to a high of 8.28 inches at POPLAR BLUFF ASOS. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150501 to 20150531(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) 78 0 58 3 68 2 4.38 -0.70 86 89 35 CENTRAL(CD2) 79 3 57 4 68 3 2.92 -2.22 57 90 35 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 78 3 57 5 68 4 1.93 -2.73 41 89 36 EAST(CD4) 80 4 56 6 68 5 1.97 -2.84 41 90 34 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 79 3 57 4 68 4 2.80 -2.12 57 90 34 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: April 2015 Above Normal Temperatures and Much Above Normal Precipitation: * If April showers bring May flowers, then what does April flooding bring? Time will tell, but this past month will go down as the second wettest April on record with data going back through 1895 (table below). The Commonwealth saw an average of a little over 8 inches statewide, but this is still well behind the record-breaking month of 2011 with more than 12. Putting this into perspective, normal total rainfall for the month of April is 4.10 inches. Most of the precipitation fell over the first half of the month. A very active pattern set up over the opening week of April as a frontal boundary stalled across the area. Portions of the Bluegrass area, especially along the I-64 corridor, received around 5 to 7+ inches of rain over a two day period. This led to significant flooding in low lying areas and along creeks/rivers. The wet pattern continued into the second week of April where rainfall was seen on a daily basis through the work week. Multiple disturbances passed through the area and were fueled by a very moist air mass in place. The wet conditions really took a toll on agriculture, especially when it came to planting corn. As of April 20th, the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report stated that Kentucky was 2 to 3 weeks behind schedule. The last report, issued on May 3rd, stated that only 25% of corn had been planted in the Bluegrass State, well behind the 5 year average of 52%.

Kentucky finally saw a break from the rainfall over the latter couple weeks of the month, but not without freezing temperatures and a round of severe weather. High pressure shifted overhead on the night of the 23rd. Clearing skies and calm winds led many locations across the eastern half of the state to dip into the upper 20s to low 30s (Image below - Kentucky Mesonet), which was roughly 20 degrees below normal for late April. Dr. John Strang (UK Extension Horticulturist) stated in the latest edition of Fruit Facts that some strawberry flowers and new grape growth suffered damage in the event. Just a few days after, attention swung to severe weather as a warm front stalled across the state. Storms fired within a warm and unstable air mass, leading to large hail reports, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes (EF2 in Edmonson County, EF1 in Adair, and EF0 in Henderson).

Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 70 in the West to 69 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 1 degree warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 50 degrees in the West to 47 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 7 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 87 at BOONEVILLE 2S and the extreme low was 26 at FORT CAMPBELL. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 8.03 inches statewide which was 3.69 inches above normal and 185% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 6.72 inches, Central 8.58 inches, Bluegrass 9.05 inches and East 7.76 inches, which was 1.8, 4.15, 5.09 and 3.71 inches above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 4.17 inches at CAPE GIRARDEAU ASOS to a high of 12.51 inches at RICHMOND 8E. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150401 to 20150430(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) 70 1 50 4 60 2 6.72 1.80 137 85 26 CENTRAL(CD2) 69 1 49 5 59 3 8.58 4.15 194 84 27 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 66 0 46 4 56 2 9.05 5.09 229 83 27 EAST(CD4) 69 1 47 7 58 4 7.76 3.71 192 87 26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 68 0 48 5 58 2 8.03 3.69 185 87 26 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: March 2015 Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation: * March can be seen as a transition month for the Bluegrass State and that statement more than held true for 2015. March roared in like a lion with a late season, record breaking winter storm. The event started out on the 3rd with excessive rainfall in place. In addition to melting snow, flooding was prevalent across the state. The next day, colder air filtered into the area, transitioning precipitation type to snow. Moderate to heavy snow led to recording breaking snowfall across much of the state. The highest accumulations fell on a line that ran through Elizabethtown and Frankfort where totals ranged from 18 to 24 inches. Lexington saw 17.1 and came out to be the heaviest two day snowfall total ever recorded. In making matters worse, the state saw another shot of Arctic air soon after. Much of the Commonwealth once again saw the mercury plummet well below zero, which was over 30 degrees below normal for that time of the year. Livestock stress once again moved into the Emergency Category for an extended period of time. At this point, the state had gone 4 straight weeks of seeing below normal temperatures. The second week of the month brought about a turn in the tide and the mercury was on the rise. Saying that, the wet pattern was extended with two additional rounds of low pressure passing through the area. Each event saw an average of 1 to 2 inches. By the end of the first half of March, the state had averaged nearly 6 inches of precipitation. In doing so, the US Drought Monitor removed any mention of abnormally dry conditions or drought. Over the second half, a much needed dry pattern set up across the area and kept the state out of record territory. Based on preliminary data, the stated averaged just under 7 inches of precipitation for March. This would place in the top 20 for wettest March’s on record, but still a long ways from March of 1997, when the state averaged over 11 inches. The latter two weeks of the month also brought more of a rollercoaster pattern when looking at temperatures. Some days would see the thermometer peak in the 70s, while others would see it falling well below seasonable norms. Behind a cold front, low temperatures plummeted into the teens and 20s over the final weekend of March. Temperatures for the period averaged 45 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 55 in the West to 57 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 36 degrees in the West to 36 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in the West to 3 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 79 at GREENVILLE 6N and the extreme low was -15 at BRANDENBURG 4SW. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 6.87 inches statewide which was 2.56 inches above normal and 160% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 7.38 inches, Central 7.13 inches, Bluegrass 7.25 inches and East 5.72 inches, which was 2.79, 2.6, 3.36 and 1.51 inches above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.96 inches at MIDDLESBORO AWOS to a high of 9.90 inches at PADUCAH ASOS. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150301 to 20150330(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) 55 -4 36 -1 46 -2 7.38 2.79 161 79 -13 CENTRAL(CD2) 56 -2 36 0 46 -1 7.13 2.60 157 78 -15 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 52 -4 34 0 43 -2 7.25 3.36 186 76 -12 EAST(CD4) 57 -2 36 3 46 0 5.72 1.51 136 79 -13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 55 -3 36 1 44 -2 6.87 2.56 160 79 -15 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: February 2015 Much Below Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation: * Record breaking cold temperatures overran the Bluegrass State through the month of February. Multiple Arctic air outbreaks pushed the Commonwealth to a state average temperature of 27 degrees for the last month of meteorological winter. This was roughly 10 degrees below normal and based on preliminary data, would be the fourth coldest February on record with data going back to 1895. The cold started digging into the area by the month’s midsection and lasted through the remainder, going 3 straight weeks with much below normal temperatures in place. Up until the third week of the month, dry conditions persisted across the Bluegrass State. Kentucky had seen seven straight weeks of below normal precipitation. By this time, the US Drought Monitor had placed over half of the state in Moderate Drought. Then conditions took a drastic turn. A major winter storm pushed through the area on the 16th. Significant snowfall was seen across the entirety of the state with totals of 8 to 12 inches common. This was followed by an Arctic front the following night that dropped another 1 to 2 inches. Behind the snow, dangerously cold air built into the Commonwealth. The majority of the state woke up on the 19th and 20th to record breaking temperatures that were well below zero. Temperatures by sunrise on the 19th hovered between -5 and -15 for many locations and only rose into the single digits that day. Some saw wind chills in excess of -25 below zero. Arctic high pressure then built over the area that night, setting up extremely cold air over portions of the Bluegrass and Eastern Kentucky. Temperatures dropped between -10 and -20 for many locations, but some dropped much further. The coldest reading was with the Kentucky Mesonet station in Richmond, which dropped to -32 degrees. Putting this into perspective, the state record low temperature was set back in January of 1994 with a reading of -37 degrees in Shelbyville. Records were broken in Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green, and Frankfort that spanned back over 100 years, into the late 1800s. The cold temperatures set up extremely dangerous conditions for livestock, placing the index in the emergency category for an extended period of time. Another winter storm setup that weekend, but this time around, temperatures were on the increase, which allowed for a wintry mix across the area. Ice was more common across the southern half of Kentucky with minor snow accumulations further north. Some locations saw around a quarter inch of ice accumulation. Over the course of the event, the Commonwealth saw between 1 to 3 inches of liquid equivalent. In addition to the melting snowpack, flooding arose, especially in low lying areas. The National Weather Service in Jackson also reported flooding due to ice jams. While moderate drought had expanded across the area to start the month, it took a step back to end February. By February 24th, the US Drought Monitor reported only 5% of the state in moderate drought. Temperatures for the period averaged 27 degrees across the state which was 10 degrees cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 37 in the West to 37 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 12 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 12 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 20 degrees in the West to 18 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 9 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 7 degrees cooler than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 66 at LOUISA 1S and the extreme low was -32 at RICHMOND 8E. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.45 inches statewide which was 0.21 inches below normal and 94% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.86 inches, Central 3.98 inches, Bluegrass 2.37 inches and East 3.58 inches, which was -0.22, 0.01, -0.80 and 0.14 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.49 inches at CARBONDALE ASOS to a high of 5.52 inches at MURRAY 1W. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150201 to 20150228(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) 37 -12 20 -9 28 -11 3.86 -0.22 95 66 -22 CENTRAL(CD2) 37 -11 19 -9 28 -10 3.98 0.01 100 64 -22 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 34 -12 16 -10 25 -11 2.37 -0.80 75 62 -32 EAST(CD4) 37 -12 18 -7 28 -9 3.58 0.14 104 66 -27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 36 -12 18 -9 27 -10 3.45 -0.21 94 66 -32 === Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period: January 2015 Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation: * Dry conditions persisted across the Bluegrass State for the month of January. Over the course of the period, the Commonwealth averaged just under 2 inches, which was over 1.5 inches below normal. Based on preliminary data at the Ag Weather Center, this past month would place in the top 20 driest January's since 1895. The dry conditions pushed Kentucky to a third straight month of seeing below normal precipitation. As a result, the US Drought Monitor expanded Moderate Drought into Central Kentucky, along with nearly 70% of the state now seeing abnormally dry conditions. In addition, the state had been entrenched in a snow drought for the winter season. Lexington and Louisville had only seen a trace through mid-January. Snowfall had been a rare occurrence, but that came to an end on the 23rd and 24th. Low pressure passed just south and east of the state with a heavy snow band setting up across Central Kentucky and up into the Bluegrass. One particular swath running from Elizabethtown to Lexington saw between 4 to 6 inches. Temperature-wise, after a mild December, an Arctic outbreak early in January gave the feel that winter had returned. A strong cold front pushed through the area on the night of the 6th. Winds picked up from the northwest, sending the wind chill below zero for an extended period of time. High pressure moved overhead on the morning of the 8th, resulting in the coldest temperatures of the young winter season. Most everyone saw the mercury drop to either side of zero. In turn, this extremely cold Arctic air forced the livestock cold stress index into the emergency category. The good news was that this was the only significant cold air outbreak of the month with temperatures hovering near to above normal for much of the remainder. In fact, temperatures rose into the 50s and 60s multiple times over the remainder of January. Overall, temperatures averaged to around normal for the month. Temperatures for the period averaged 33 degrees across the state which was near normal. High temperatures averaged from 42 in the West to 42 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 26 degrees in the West to 25 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 69 at WHITESBURG 2NW and the extreme low was -9 at BLACK MOUNTAIN ARC. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 1.94 inches statewide which was 1.79 inches below normal and 52% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.32 inches, Central 1.74 inches, Bluegrass 1.64 inches and East 2.05 inches, which was 1.61, 2.25, 1.58 and 1.74 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.87 inches at LOUISVILLE APT to a high of 6.79 inches at POPLAR BLUFF ASOS. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20150101 to 20150131(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) 42 -1 26 1 34 0 2.32 -1.61 59 64 -4 CENTRAL(CD2) 42 0 25 0 34 1 1.74 -2.25 44 64 -3 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 39 -2 24 1 31 -1 1.64 -1.58 51 65 -4 EAST(CD4) 42 -2 25 2 34 1 2.05 -1.74 54 69 -9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 41 -2 25 1 33 0 1.94 -1.79 52 69 -9 === pFad - Phonifier reborn

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