The Kansas Ag-Climate Update is a joint effort between our climate and extension specialists. Every month the update includes a summary of that month, agronomic impacts, relevant maps and graphs, 1-month temperature and precipitation outlooks, monthly extremes, and notable highlights.
October 2023: Around normal climate conditions in October
The average statewide temperature for October was 57.8°F, or 1.6°F above normal. This ranked as the 40th warmest October out of 129 years of records, dating back to 1895. All nine climate divisions were above normal. Anomalies ranged from +0.8°F (northwest) to +2.0°F (north central).
Average statewide precipitation for October was 1.93”, or 83% of normal. This amount was 0.39” below normal and ranked as the 60th wettest October on record. East central Kansas was the wettest division (4.52”) and the only division above normal in October. Northwest (0.64”) and west central (0.72”) were the driest divisions.
Since April 1st, the three eastern climate divisions all rank between the 16th and 22nd driest, with anomalies ranging from -7.54” (northeast) to -10.13” (southeast). Southwest Kansas is the only division above normal (+4.68”), currently ranking 14th wettest.
Figure 1. Departures from normal temperature (°F) and precipitation (inches) for October 2023.
View the entire October 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