Statewide average precipitation in October was 1.71 inches, which was 91 percent of normal. Unfortunately, the distribution wasn’t very even. The western third of the state fared the best, with the Southwest Division as the wettest. The divisional average was 4.05 inches, or 265 percent of normal. In contrast, the Southeastern Division averaged only 0.81 inches, or 26 percent of normal. Another factor was the distribution of events across the month. The western areas of the state had several events of more than a quarter of an inch. For most of the eastern areas of the state, rainfall above a tenth of an inch fell only on the last day of the month. The greatest monthly precipitation totals reported were 8.85 inches at Liberal, Seward County (NWS) and 5.00 inches at Hugoton, Stevens County, (CoCoRaHS). Still, 12 daily precipitation records were set in October. Nine of those records were established in western locations.
Temperatures were warmer than normal across the state, although not as warm as in September. The statewide average temperature was 58.6 degrees F, or 3 degrees warmer than normal for the month. There was only one new record daily high temperature set during the month, and 3 records tied. No new daily highs were set for the month. In contrast, there were 3 record cold high temperatures. Most of the warmth showed in the minimum temperature side. There were 18 new record warm minimum temperatures and 13 records tied. None of these set new records for the month. No new daily cold minimum temperatures were set for either a day or for the month. The Northeast and Southeast Divisions were the closest to normal, with the Northeast Division averaging just 1.2 degrees F warmer than normal and the Southeast Division averaging 1.9 degrees F warmer than normal. The Northwest Division was the warmest averaging 56.4 degrees F, or 4.2 degrees warmer than normal. The warmest reading was 98 degrees F, reported at Lakin in Kearny County on the 12th. The coolest reading for the state was 21 degrees F at Atwood in Rawlins County on the 30th. The warmer-than-average temperatures allowed late-planted spring crops such as corn and soybeans to finish development. Concerns now are for the dry conditions, with winter planted crops needing moisture to complete establishment before winter.
With the limited rainfall, severe weather was also limited. Preliminary data indicates there were no tornadoes reported, nor any hail reports. There were 5 reports of damaging wind, mostly in the Southwest Division.
Drought conditions continued to deteriorate, particularly in the eastern third of the state. This was not unexpected, given the lower-than-average precipitation in the area. Moderate drought conditions shifted eastward, and the area of abnormal dry conditions expanded. The moderate drought ranges from northwest Kansas through parts of central Kansas. 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. The drought outlook is for improving conditions, and the precipitation outlook for November is positive. However, we are moving into a drier period of the year, so even above-normal precipitation will be slow to erase the dry conditions.
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October 2015 |
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Kansas Climate Division Summary |
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Precipitation (inches) |
Temperature (oF) |
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October 2015 |
2015 Jan through Oct |
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Monthly Extremes |
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Division |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Ave |
Dep. 1 |
Max |
Min |
|
Northwest |
1.48 |
-0.08 |
94 |
17.97 |
-1.99 |
90 |
56.4 |
4.2 |
96 |
21 |
|
West Central |
2.05 |
0.59 |
138 |
19.08 |
-0.27 |
98 |
57.3 |
3.8 |
97 |
25 |
|
Southwest |
4.05 |
2.53 |
265 |
25.88 |
7.30 |
138 |
59.6 |
3.6 |
98 |
30 |
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North Central |
1.11 |
-0.87 |
57 |
22.62 |
-3.28 |
86 |
58.5 |
3.4 |
96 |
25 |
|
Central |
1.22 |
-0.91 |
62 |
23.16 |
-3.97 |
84 |
59.6 |
3.3 |
96 |
26 |
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South Central |
1.48 |
-1.16 |
57 |
28.85 |
0.14 |
100 |
61.2 |
3.5 |
93 |
30 |
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Northeast |
0.82 |
-1.91 |
32 |
31.58 |
-0.42 |
98 |
56.6 |
1.2 |
91 |
23 |
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East Central |
0.83 |
-2.26 |
26 |
30.41 |
-3.94 |
87 |
58.5 |
2.2 |
91 |
26 |
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Southeast |
1.45 |
-2.22 |
39 |
32.00 |
-5.09 |
85 |
59.8 |
1.9 |
90 |
29 |
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STATE |
1.71 |
-0.61 |
91 |
25.91 |
-1.02 |
97 |
58.6 |
3.0 |
98 |
21 |
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1. Departure from 1981-2010 normal value |
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Source: KSU Weather Data Library |
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Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu
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