The outlooks for September were a disappointment, as the cooler- and wetter-than-average conditions failed to materialize. September was drier than normal in most of the state. Statewide average precipitation was 1.58 inches, or 53 percent of normal. The North Central Division had the lowest percent of normal precipitation at 39 percent, or an average of 1.04 inches. The West Central Division wasn’t far ahead with 42 percent of normal, or an average of 0.71 inches. The East Central Division was closest to normal with an average of 2.85 inches, or 75 percent of normal. This ranks as the 25th driest September on record, placing it in the lower third of the 121-year distribution. The greatest monthly precipitation totals reported were 7.70 inches at Lecompton, Douglas County (NWS) and 8.02 inches at Topeka 4.6 ESE, Jefferson County, (CoCoRaHS). Still, 16 daily precipitation records were set in September. Lecompton’s record of 4.36 inches, reported on the 8th, set a new record for the station in September.
Temperatures were warmer than normal across the state. The statewide average temperature was 73.8 degrees F, 5.7 degrees warmer than normal for the month. There were 10 new record daily high temperatures set during the month, and 16 records tied. None of the records was a new daily high for the month. In contrast, there were no record cold high temperatures. On the low temperature side, the same trend prevailed with 34 new record warm minimum temperatures and 25 records tied. The 75 degrees F at Toronto Lake, reported on the 8th, tied for a record warm minimum temperature in September. There was one new record daily cold minimum temperature for the month, but no new monthly record lows set. The South Central and Southeast Divisions were the closest to normal, with the South Central Division averaging 4.9 degree F warmer than normal and the Southeast Division averaging 3.9 degrees F warmer than normal. The Northwest Division was the warmest, averaging 72.1 degrees F, or 6.9 degrees warmer than normal. The warmest reading was 107 degrees F on the 7th at Hays, Ellis County (NWS). The coolest reading for the state was 33 degrees F at Brewster, Thomas County (NWS) on the 19th. The warmer-than-average temperatures allowed late-planted spring crops such as corn and soybeans to progress rapidly in development. Concerns now are for the dry conditions, with winter crops needing moisture for establishment before winter.
Severe weather was higher in September, despite the dry conditions. Preliminary data indicates there were 5 tornadoes reported. There were 63 hail reports and 64 damaging wind reports.
Drought conditions deteriorated, which was not unexpected, given the lower-than-average precipitation. Moderate drought conditions returned, and the area of abnormal dry conditions expanded. The moderate drought ranges from northwest 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, but the precipitation outlook for October is neutral.
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Sep 2015 |
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Kansas Climate Division Summary |
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Precipitation (inches) |
Temperature (oF) |
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September 2015 |
2015 Jan. through Sept. |
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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 |
0.89 |
-0.63 |
61 |
16.34 |
-2.07 |
88 |
72.1 |
6.9 |
102 |
33 |
|
West Central |
0.71 |
-0.89 |
42 |
17.05 |
-0.84 |
95 |
73.0 |
6.6 |
102 |
36 |
|
Southwest |
0.92 |
-0.70 |
52 |
21.90 |
4.84 |
127 |
74.7 |
6.0 |
104 |
43 |
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North Central |
1.04 |
-1.59 |
39 |
21.54 |
-2.38 |
88 |
74.1 |
6.2 |
104 |
44 |
|
Central |
1.35 |
-1.16 |
51 |
22.00 |
-2.99 |
86 |
75.3 |
6.2 |
107 |
46 |
|
South Central |
1.90 |
-0.70 |
74 |
27.33 |
1.26 |
104 |
75.1 |
4.9 |
104 |
32 |
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Northeast |
2.61 |
-1.00 |
70 |
30.76 |
1.49 |
104 |
73.0 |
5.6 |
99 |
44 |
|
East Central |
2.85 |
-0.81 |
75 |
29.62 |
-1.64 |
93 |
73.4 |
5.2 |
101 |
46 |
|
Southeast |
1.78 |
-2.23 |
44 |
30.62 |
-2.80 |
91 |
73.5 |
3.9 |
99 |
43 |
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STATE |
1.53 |
-1.09 |
56 |
24.21 |
-0.41 |
98 |
73.8 |
5.7 |
107 |
32 |
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1. Departure from 1981-2010 normal value |
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2. State Highest temperature: 107 oF at Hays 1S (Ellis County) on the 7th. |
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3. State Lowest temperature: 33 oF at Brewster 4W (Thomas County) on the 19th |
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4. Greatest 24hr rainfall: 4.38 inches at Topeka Municipal Airport, Shawnee County on the 10th (NWS); 4.68 inches at Topeka 5.8 ENE, Jefferson County on the 11th (CoCoRaHS). |
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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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