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.
September 2022: Warm conditions further developed drought across the state
The statewide average temperature for September was 72.0°, or 3.2° above normal. This ranks as the 18th warmest September out of the last 128 years, dating back to 1895. This is the 7th consecutive month with the statewide average temperature above normal. September departures from normal ranged from +2.4° to +3.5° across the state (Figure 1). Combined with July and August, the average temperature was 77.4°, or 2.4° above normal, and ranks as the 12th warmest.
The statewide average precipitation for September was 1.35”, or 1.17” below normal. This was the 14th driest September on record. The average 3-month total precipitation for July through September was 5.57”, or 4.32” below normal, and ranks as the 8th driest.
July through September (2022) was the driest on record in southeast Kansas, and the second driest on record in south central Kansas. Both divisions also rank in the top 10 warmest for the same time period.
Figure 1. Departures from normal temperature (°F) and precipitation (inches) for September 2022.
View the entire September 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