The dry weather that has persisted through April has raised concerns. In western Kansas, this has been the 11th driest start to the year since 1895. Below is a map showing the total rainfall for 2014 by division and the historical rank:
Note that the Southeast Division has had the second driest start to the year. Because southeast Kansas typically has more moisture during the winter months, there is a greater possibility of having a significantly dry start to the row crop season this year.
In addition to the dry conditions, strong winds have created increasing problems with blowing dust and dust storms. Below is a table comparing this year’s average winds at the National Weather Service 1st Order stations to data at the same location from 1930-1996:
|
KANSAS |
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
|
Concordia |
Historical Wind Speed* |
12 |
12 |
14 |
14 |
|
|
2014 |
12.7 |
10.9 |
14.2 |
14.9 |
|
|
Days avg >= 20 mph |
1 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
Peak Gust |
60 |
52 |
54 |
64 |
|
|
2014 |
58 |
46 |
56 |
49 |
|
Dodge City |
Historical Wind Speed |
11 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
2014 |
14 |
12.8 |
16 |
16.3 |
|
|
Days avg >= 20 mph |
2 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Peak Gust |
66 |
57 |
48 |
61 |
|
|
2014 |
56 |
60 |
59 |
58 |
|
Goodland |
Historical Wind Speed |
13 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
|
2014 |
14 |
13.4 |
14.8 |
17 |
|
|
Days avg >= 20 mph |
2 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
|
|
Peak Gust |
64 |
51 |
53 |
54 |
|
|
2014 |
64 |
58 |
58 |
64 |
|
Topeka |
Historical Wind Speed |
10 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
2014 |
9.9 |
7.9 |
10.3 |
10.3 |
|
|
Days avg >= 20 mph |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Peak Gust |
49 |
47 |
43 |
47 |
|
|
2014 |
41 |
48 |
49 |
55 |
|
Wichita |
Historical Wind Speed |
10 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
2014 |
12.5 |
10.6 |
14.3 |
15 |
|
|
Days avg >= 20 mph |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
|
Peak Gust |
59 |
49 |
49 |
58 |
|
|
2014 |
53 |
43 |
43 |
59 |
|
All speeds are in miles per hour (mph); Historical data is in italic* |
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|
|
|
|
|
* from CLIMATIC WIND DATA FOR THE UNITED STATES; NCDC Nov 1998; |
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based on 1930-1996 data |
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Note that in April, only Topeka had winds that were less than the historical average. In Dodge City, the wind speed in April was more than 4 mph above the historical average; and in Goodland wind speeds were 3 mph above average for April. This is a considerable amount.
As a result of the drought and windy weather, dust storms have been common this year.
Figure 1. Dust storm in Wichita County, April 27, 2014. Photo by Allen Baker, Wichita County Research and Extension Agent.
Figure 2. Dust blowing across a highway in Wichita County on April 27, 2014. Photo by Allen Baker, Wichita County Research and Extension Agent.
Figure 3. Field on May 2, 2014 after repeated episodes of blowing soil. Photo by Kylee Harrison, Seward County Research and Extension Agent.
Figure 4. Wheat field on May 2, 2014 partially covered by soil from dust storms. Photo by Joe Liebbrandt, Grant County Research and Extension Agent.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu
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