June 2015 weather summary for Kansas: Break in the rains

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While June began on a wet note, most of the state ended up with lower-than-average precipitation for the month. Statewide average precipitation was 3.03 inches, or 69 percent of normal. This ranks as the 33rd driest June on record. Only the Northeastern Division averaged above normal. The average precipitation for the Northeast was 6.94 inches, or 134 percent of normal. Despite the overall lower-than-average precipitation, two locations in southwest Kansas set daily precipitation records for June: Hugoton with 3.90 inches on the 11th and Liberal with 5.00 inches on the 12th. The greatest monthly total for the month was 10.46 inches at Bremen, Marshall County (NWS) and 9.54 inches at Blue Rapids, Marshall County (CoCoRaHS).


 

Temperatures averaged warmer than normal for the month. The statewide average temperature was 75.7 degrees F, which is 2.7 degrees warmer than normal. The Southwest Division had the greatest departure with an average of 76.8 degrees F, or 3.6 degrees warmer than normal. The North Central Division was closest to normal with an average of 74.6 degrees F, or 1.3 degrees above normal. The warmest reading was 105 degrees F and occurred at two different locations and dates: Norton Dam on the 25th and Hill City on the 30th. This rapid switch from cool wet conditions to warm dry conditions have had mixed impacts. The dry weather allowed for rapid progress on wheat harvest and for field work such as haying. On the other hand, the warm temperatures stressed spring planted crops such as corn and soybeans that had limited root development.

 

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Severe weather activity was less than last month. Preliminary data indicates there were 15 tornadoes reported during June, compared to 99 in the May. Hail reports were also fewer, with 83 in June versus 108 in May. There was an increase in damaging wind reports with 65 reports this month and only 52 reports last month. Drought conditions continued to improve slightly as the wet end to May and wet start to June were included in the assessments. The only remaining moderate drought area is in northwest and north central Kansas, with a small area of abnormally dry conditions in the southwest. 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. For example, Norton, Cedar Bluff, Kirwin, and Webster reservoirs are all less than 75 percent of conservation pool.

 

 

 

 

Jun 2015

Kansas Climate Division Summary

 

Precipitation (inches)

Temperature (oF)

 

Jun 2015

2015 January through June

 

 

Monthly Extremes

Division

Total

Dep. 1

% Normal

Total

Dep. 1

% Normal

Ave

Dep. 1

Max

Min

Northwest

1.66

-1.17

57

9.82

-0.85

92

73.4

2.5

105

41

West Central

1.07

-1.74

37

10.29

0.04

100

74.6

2.9

103

41

Southwest

2.79

-0.42

85

13.81

3.85

136

76.8

3.4

104

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Central

3.63

-0.20

89

13.06

-0.84

91

74.6

1.3

103

45

Central

2.67

-1.41

62

13.90

-1.07

91

76.7

2.3

104

47

South Central

2.63

-2.16

55

17.48

0.98

106

77.8

2.8

100

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

6.96

1.82

134

19.88

2.49

114

74.7

1.8

99

51

East Central

3.82

-1.76

68

18.72

-0.49

96

75.5

2.3

99

52

Southeast

3.04

-2.90

51

19.59

-2.01

90

76.8

2.5

98

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE

3.03

-1.23

69

15.23

0.29

102

75.7

2.4

105

41

 

                 

 

1. Departure from 1981-2010 normal value

Source: KSU Weather Data Library

 

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Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu


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