October began on a cool, wet note but then moved to a warm, dry pattern. Overall, the statewide average temperature was 2.9 degrees warmer than normal. The warmest divisions were the Southwest and South Central, where average temperatures were 3.7 degrees above normal. The coolest division was the Northeast, where average temperatures were 2.1 degrees above normal. In the North Central, the first frost was recorded in September. For the rest of the divisions, the first frost wasn’t until the end of October. All divisions had low temperatures at 30 degrees F or colder, with most of the coldest readings on the 30th and 31st. Even colder lows were recorded on the 1st of November. All divisions experienced temperatures at or above 90 degrees F during the month. There were 17 new daily record highs set during October. There were also 11 new record warm minimums set during the month. On the cool side of the scale, there were 10 new daily record low maximum temperatures and three new daily record low minimum temperatures for the month. No monthly or all-time records were set for either maximum or minimum temperatures.
The statewide average precipitation for October was 2.54 inches, resulting in a 0.24-inch surplus for the month. The total is 104 percent of the normal precipitation for the month. However, both the Northwest and the South Central division averaged below normal. The Northwest fared the worst, with an average of just 0.42 inches, or 27 percent of normal. The South Central Division fared slightly better with an average of 2.25 inches or 87 percent of normal. Most of the moisture in these divisions fell during the afternoon and evening of September 30th, and were reported on the 1st of October. Heavy rains began the month, with more moderate amounts in the middle, and mainly dry to end October.
Drought conditions persist across the state, particularly in the west. There was some improvement in the eastern portions of the state. At the end of September, the portion of the state that was drought-free was at almost 19 percent. At the end of October the drought-free area had increased to about 33 percent. However, the dry pattern to end the month is likely to result in further expansion of drought in the Northwest Division. The El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is still expected to switch to an El Niño event before winter, but it remains to be seen what impact will be felt. Other global circulation patterns, including the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), can have significant impacts on the winter season. The November temperature outlook is neutral for the entire state, with equal chances of above normal, normal or below normal temperatures across Kansas. The precipitation outlook is also neutral for all except extreme eastern and southeastern Kansas. In those areas, there is a chance for above normal precipitation. This does not indicate how that moisture might be distributed, and means heavy rains or extended dry periods are both possible.
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Table 1 |
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Oct 2014 |
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Kansas Climate Division Summary |
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Precipitation (inches) |
Temperature (oF) |
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Oct 2014 |
Jan. through Oct. 2014 |
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Monthly Extremes |
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Division |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Total |
Dep. 1 |
% Normal |
Ave |
Dep. 1 |
Max |
Min |
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Northwest |
0.42 |
-1.14 |
27 |
16.01 |
-3.95 |
80 |
55.0 |
2.9 |
91 |
21 |
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West Central |
1.51 |
0.05 |
102 |
19.25 |
-0.10 |
97 |
56.8 |
3.3 |
92 |
25 |
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Southwest |
1.81 |
0.29 |
117 |
17.14 |
-1.44 |
91 |
59.7 |
3.7 |
93 |
29 |
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North Central |
2.12 |
0.14 |
102 |
22.06 |
-3.84 |
84 |
57.3 |
2.2 |
90 |
25 |
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Central |
2.38 |
0.25 |
114 |
24.60 |
-2.53 |
91 |
58.9 |
2.6 |
91 |
27 |
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South Central |
2.25 |
-0.39 |
87 |
23.59 |
-5.12 |
82 |
61.3 |
3.7 |
93 |
28 |
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Northeast |
4.21 |
1.48 |
148 |
27.35 |
-4.65 |
85 |
57.5 |
2.1 |
90 |
30 |
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East Central |
3.71 |
0.62 |
114 |
25.59 |
-8.76 |
73 |
58.5 |
2.2 |
90 |
29 |
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Southeast |
4.77 |
1.10 |
127 |
28.43 |
-8.66 |
76 |
61.0 |
3.1 |
93 |
29 |
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STATE |
2.56 |
0.24 |
104 |
22.57 |
-4.36 |
84 |
58.4 |
2.9 |
93 |
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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