The Kansas Ag-Climate Update is a joint effort between our climate and extension specialists. Every month the update includes a brief summary of that month, agronomic impacts, relevant maps and graphs, 1-month temperature, and precipitation outlooks, monthly extremes, and notable highlights.
July 2023: Precipitation improved drought conditions
The average temperature for July was 78.3°F, or 0.7°F below normal. This ranked as the 56th coldest July out of 129 years of records, dating back to 1895. Seven of Kansas’ nine climate divisions were below normal; only east central and southeast were above normal. Anomalies ranged from -1.4°F (northwest) to +0.3°F (southeast).
Average precipitation for July was 4.39”, or 114% of normal. This was 0.54” above normal, and ranked as the 33rd wettest July on record. Southwest (6.09”) and south central (6.01”) Kansas were the two wettest divisions; their totals ranked as the 6th and 7th wettest Julys on record, respectively. North central and central Kansas tied for driest division (3.14”).
When combined with April, May, and June, the past 4-month period is the 5th wettest on record in southwest Kansas. Their total of 16.29” is 5.80” above normal.
Figure 1. Departures from normal temperature (°F) and precipitation (inches) for July 2023.
View the entire July 2023 Ag-Climate Update, including the accompanying maps and graphics (not shown in this eUpdate article), at http://climate.k-state.edu/ag/updates/
Xiaomao Lin, State Climatologist
xlin@ksu.edu
Matthew Sittel, Assistant State Climatologist
msittel@ksu.edu