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.
November 2022: Exceptional drought conditions across the state
The statewide average temperature for November was 41.2°F, or 2.1°F below normal. This ranks as the 49th coldest November out of the last 128 years, dating back to 1895. November was the first below normal month statewide since March. All divisions finished the month below normal; departures ranged from -2.9°F in the southwest to -1.6°F in northeast Kansas.
The statewide average precipitation for November was 1.44”, or 0.14” above normal. This was the first above normal month statewide since May. Five of the nine climate divisions finished the month above normal, but northwest and west central remained very dry, both receiving less than 10% of their normal monthly precipitation. Combined with last month, the three western Kansas climate divisions rank in their top 5 for the driest October-November on record. The 0.15” total for west central Kansas is the driest October-November on record in that division, breaking the old record of 0.16” set in 1939.
Figure 1. Departures from normal temperature (°F) and precipitation (inches) for November 2022.
View the entire November 2022 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