August was drier than normal in most of the state. Statewide average precipitation was 2.80 inches, or 85 percent of normal. The Northeast Division had the lowest percent of normal precipitation at 46 percent, or an average of 1.80 inches. The Northwest wasn’t far ahead with 56 percent of normal, or an average of 1.55 inches. The two divisions with above-normal precipitation were the Southwest and Southeast. The Southwest Division had 101 percent of normal, or an average of 2.73 inches, while the North Central Division had 130 percent of normal, or an average of 4.74 inches. The statewide average ranks as the 55th driest August on record, placing it in the middle third of the 121-year distribution. The greatest monthly precipitation reports were 8.42 inches at Iola (NWS) and 8.78 inches at Wichita (CoCoRaHS). While 73 new daily precipitation records were set, none of these were new records for August.
Temperatures were cooler-than-normal across the state. The statewide average temperature was 75.0 degrees F, 2.1 degree cooler than normal for the month. There were no new record high temperatures set during the month. In contrast, there were 9 new record cold high temperatures, and 3 records that tied. On the low temperature side, the same trend prevailed with 15 new record low minimum temperatures and 11 records tied. There were 3 new record daily warm minimum temperatures for the month, but no new monthly record lows set. The western divisions were the closest to normal, averaging between 0.7 and 0.9 degrees cooler than normal. The Southeast and the South Central Divisions were the coldest, with both averaging 3.5 degrees cooler than normal. The warmest reading was 108 degrees F on the 9th at Hays (NWS). The coolest reading for the state was 42 degrees F at Oberlin (NWS) on the 25th. While the temperatures weren’t particularly outside of the normal range, late-planted spring crops such as corn and soybeans are still behind in development, with rising concerns that an early frost will have a negative impact on yields.
Severe weather was limited in August. Preliminary data indicates there were 2 tornadoes reported, compared to 7 in July, 15 during June, and 99 in May. Hail reports were also fewer with 45 reports this month versus 55 reports in July, 83 in June, and 108 in May. Damaging winds were also less common. There were 65 reports in August, 114 reports in July, 65 reports in June, and only 52 reports last May.
Drought conditions deteriorated slightly, which was not unexpected, given the lower-than-average precipitation. Greater expansion of drought areas was limited due to the wetter-than-normal conditions in June and the cooler-than-normal temperatures this month. Only one area of abnormally dry conditions remains on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map. This area is in portions of the Northwest, North Central, and Central divisions, where rainfall for growing season is less than normal. Thirty-seven counties in western Kansas remain in drought watch status according to the latest advisory from the Kansas Water Office. A return to normal or above-normal precipitation is needed to sustain improvements. Some long-term hydrological deficits are in place affecting some water supplies and reservoirs.
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August 2015 |
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Kansas Climate Division Summary |
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Precipitation (inches) |
Temperature (oF) |
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August 2015 |
2015 Jan - August |
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Monthly Extremes |
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Division |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Ave |
Dep. 1 |
Max |
Min |
|
Northwest |
1.55 |
-1.18 |
56 |
15.46 |
-1.43 |
91 |
74.1 |
-0.7 |
105 |
42 |
|
West Central |
1.69 |
-0.92 |
64 |
16.31 |
0.02 |
100 |
74.8 |
-0.8 |
103 |
44 |
|
Southwest |
2.73 |
0.02 |
101 |
21.15 |
5.71 |
136 |
76.3 |
-0.9 |
106 |
49 |
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North Central |
2.92 |
-0.36 |
89 |
20.47 |
-0.82 |
94 |
74.6 |
-2.5 |
101 |
43 |
|
Central |
3.23 |
-0.34 |
87 |
20.75 |
-1.73 |
91 |
75.5 |
-2.6 |
108 |
45 |
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South Central |
2.54 |
-0.90 |
73 |
25.51 |
2.04 |
108 |
75.7 |
-3.5 |
101 |
50 |
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Northeast |
1.80 |
-2.10 |
46 |
28.13 |
2.47 |
109 |
74.2 |
-2.1 |
95 |
45 |
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East Central |
3.20 |
-0.89 |
78 |
26.87 |
-0.74 |
96 |
74.5 |
-2.6 |
96 |
47 |
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Southeast |
4.74 |
1.00 |
130 |
28.89 |
-0.52 |
98 |
75.0 |
-3.5 |
98 |
50 |
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STATE |
2.80 |
-0.52 |
83 |
22.73 |
0.73 |
103 |
75.0 |
-2.1 |
108 |
42 |
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1. Departure from 1981-2010 normal value |
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Source: KSU Weather Data Library |
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Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu
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