KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 2012 By: Tom Priddy--UK Agricultural Weather Center * Based on Preliminary Data. Weekly graphs available within the UKAWC Kentucky Weather Information Web site. Sources: UKAWC, NCDC and Midwest Regional Climate Center === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period December 2012 Well Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: * The month of December followed the same trend Kentucky saw for most of the year in which above normal temperatures prevailed across the Commonwealth. The state as a whole ended the month 6 degrees above normal with an average temperature of 44 degrees, which marks the 7th warmest December on record going back to 1895 and the 8th month this year Kentucky had witnessed above normal temperatures. One of the major contributors to the warmth was temperatures in the low to mid 70s witnessed statewide the first week of December. Southwesterly winds pumped warm air into the Bluegrass State throughout the week resulting in temperatures that were on average 15 degrees above normal, leaving some to question whether it really was the start of December. This high of a deviation has not been seen since mid March. During this time span, Louisville saw its second warmest December temperature ever recorded of 75 degrees. While the month was on the warm side, following the passage of a low on the 28th, temperatures plunged through the overnight. So much so, that the coldest temperature of the year was recorded in Henderson, Kentucky of 6 degrees. December also provided the lower Ohio Valley with beneficial rainfall. Previously the state had gone 3 straight months with below normal rainfall, with nearly 70% of Kentucky seeing abnormally dry conditions. Going into December, the skies seemed to open up and several rainfall producers soaked the state with an average of over 5 inches and diminished this percentage back down to near 27%. While most of this precipitation fell in the form of rain, the end of December brought quite the change. While it was not a white Christmas, a couple strong low pressure systems brought cooler air down from our northwest and a transition to snow for some portions of the state. The most significant was the mid-level low that passed through on the 26th. A heavy swath of snow fell in mainly western sections of Kentucky with totals in excess of 4 to 6 inches. The snow did not stop there as yet another low passed through the last Friday of the month with numerous totals in excess of 3 inches falling in northwestern and Bluegrass portions of the state. Temperatures for the period averaged 44 degrees across the state which was 6 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 52 in the West to 51 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 3 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 37 degrees in the West to 37 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 7 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 10 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 75 at BOWLING GREEN APT and the extreme low was 6 at HENDERSON 5E. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.40 inches statewide which was 0.98 inches above normal and 122% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.96 inches, Central 6.03 inches, Bluegrass 6.34 inches and East 5.27 inches, which was -0.87, 1.23, 2.49 and 1.06 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.62 inches at CAPE GIRARDEAU ASOS to a high of 7.72 inches at MAYSVILLE 3SW. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20121201 to 20121231(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 52 4 37 7 45 6 3.96 -0.87 82 75 6 CENTRAL(CD2) 52 5 37 8 45 7 6.03 1.23 126 75 16 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 49 4 36 8 42 5 6.34 2.49 165 73 14 EAST(CD4) 51 3 37 10 44 6 5.27 1.06 125 74 17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 51 4 37 8 44 6 5.40 0.98 122 75 6 The image below, provided by the NWS office in Louisville, KY, shows a high resolution visible satellite image taken on December 30th of the inherent snowpack across the area following the two snowfall events. === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period November 2012 Below Normal Temperatures and Well Below Normal Rainfall: * Extremely dry conditions took control of the Bluegrass State through the month of November. After a moist start to the fall season, where drought conditions were significantly improved upon, this past month seemed to give us a shot back to the past. Over the course of the month, only some weak upper level disturbances and surface cold fronts provided the Commonwealth with only minimal amounts of precipitation. Not once did Kentucky witness any good soaking rains and this led the state to its 5th driest November dating back to 1895. The state only saw an average of 1.27 inches of precipitation, which was over 2.5 inches below normal. This is the largest below normal deviation since June when the state became entrenched in a drought after being about 3.5 inches below normal. Nearly 70 percent of the state has now sunk back into abnormally dry conditions. Temperatures were a bit wavering throughout the month. While there were times when Kentucky was around normal, the state did see periods of extremely cool temperatures and others that had a feel of an Indian summer. Some cold fronts passing through Kentucky only put highs into the upper 30s to lower 40s on multiple occasions. Under clear sky overnight periods, lows dropped all the way into the teens, with one station recording a low of 16. On the other end of the spectrum, surface high pressure to our east allowed for southerly winds to pump mild temperatures into the region, which was at times into the lower 70s. Highs even rose into the 60s for Thanksgiving Day. The month ended with a state average of being 3 degrees below normal, which acted to send Kentucky to its 4 straight month of near to below normal temperatures. Temperatures for the period averaged 44 degrees across the state which was 3 degrees cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 57 in the West to 56 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 34 degrees in the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 1 degree cooler than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 76 at MURRAY 1W and the extreme low was 16 at MONTICELLO AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 1.27 inches statewide which was 2.68 inches below normal and 32% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.55 inches, Central 1.26 inches, Bluegrass 1.30 inches and East 0.97 inches, which was 3.03, 2.9, 2.14 and 2.65 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.43 inches at MIDDLESBORO AWOS to a high of 2.63 inches at BENTON 4N. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20121101 to 20121130(Last 30 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 57 -2 34 -4 46 -2 1.55 -3.03 34 76 18 CENTRAL(CD2) 56 -2 33 -4 44 -3 1.26 -2.90 30 74 19 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 54 -2 32 -4 43 -3 1.30 -2.14 38 75 17 EAST(CD4) 56 -2 33 -1 44 -2 0.97 -2.65 27 76 16 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 56 -2 33 -3 44 -3 1.27 -2.68 32 76 16 The NWS office in Jackson, KY put together a representation below that demonstrates the dry conditions inherent over the course of November. === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period October 2012 Below Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: * October was full of unusual events from extreme temperature swings to ANOTHER hurricane wrecking into the Commonwealth. Throughout the month, Kentucky had numerous periods where it felt as though the state was in an Indian summer as the Bluegrass State saw well above normal temperatures in the 70s and at times, 80s. On a few separate occasions, this was the case, but very strong cold fronts brought us back to reality soon after, putting our temperatures well below normal. This was extremely evident the 3rd week of the month when one day it was in the upper 70s to low 80s and the next day highs only rose into the 40s and 50s. As the end of October neared, all eyes shifted to Hurricane Sandy in the Atlantic and its track west into the east coast. After the remnants of Isaac drenched the Commonwealth in early September, the remnants of Hurricane Sandy brought much different impacts in the form of high winds and snow to the Commonwealth. As a hurricane, Sandys central low pressure dropped tremendously and in doing so, created a very extensive pressure gradient. This acted to increase winds speeds all around the cyclone. Wind speeds over 25 mph and gusts around 40 were common at times across the state as Sandy meandered westward toward Kentucky. The only portions of Kentucky to see significant precipitation was mostly eastern areas. As stated above, snow was common in eastern Kentucky with some higher elevations accumulating more than a foot. According to the Jackson NWS office, the 1.1 inches of snow that they witnessed on the 30th made for the 2nd snowiest October on record in Jackson. Mostly all extreme eastern portions saw at least 2 inches in liquid equivalent over the time span. In topping off all of Sandys impacts, northwesterly winds made conditions uncomfortable for a couple days as temperatures only rose in the 40s during the day with some locations not getting out of the 30s. Temperatures for the period averaged 56 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees cooler than normal . High temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to 65 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 5 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 47 degrees in the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 3 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 84 at OWENSBORO AWSS and the extreme low was 26 at CYNTHIANA 8N. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.83 inches statewide which was 0.46 inches below normal and 86% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.26 inches, Central 2.55 inches, Bluegrass 2.15 inches and East 3.37 inches, which was -0.26, -0.84, -0.93 and 0.18 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.23 inches at LEXINGTON 7S to a high of 5.51 inches at MAYFIELD 6SW. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20121001 to 20121031(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 67 -4 47 0 57 -2 3.26 -0.26 93 84 29 CENTRAL(CD2) 66 -3 47 1 56 -2 2.55 -0.84 75 82 30 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 64 -4 46 1 55 -2 2.15 -0.93 70 82 26 EAST(CD4) 65 -5 46 3 55 -1 3.37 0.18 106 84 27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 66 -4 46 1 56 -2 2.83 -0.46 86 84 26 Below is a graphic from the NWS in Jackson displaying the impacts of the "October Super Storm".

=== Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period September 2012 Below Normal Temperatures and Well Above Normal Rainfall: * Soaking rains and cooler temperatures were the headlines across the state for the month of September. It started off with a rain-out for the Labor Day weekend as the remnants of Hurricane Isaac drenched the Commonwealth. The combination of this system and a strong cold front made for most portions of the state seeing at least 2 inches of rainfall over the course of the week. This was the highest above normal rainfall departure we have seen all year. After a rather dry second week of the month, precipitation ramped up yet again for the last 2 weeks. A low pressure system moving through the area and a nearly stalled out frontal boundary soaked Kentucky with an average of 2.5 inches falling across the state. Adding all the rainfall totals over the course of the month and we ended September over 2 inches above normal, making it the wettest month since November of last year. The abundant rainfall was very beneficial to the western part of the state, which came out of exceptional drought conditions. Sufficient moisture has been infused into the ground just in time for winter wheat and cole crops going into the fields. The other headline across the state was the much cooler temperatures following most of these rain producers. There were multiple mornings across the Bluegrass State, where many awoke to temperatures well into the 30s as surface high pressure descended over the region. Some lows were reported the last week of the month in the low 30s. Lexington had record low temperatures on both the 23rd and 24th, when temperatures dropped to 36 degrees. No widespread frost was evident with only patchy instances. The month ended with average temperatures below normal by 1 degree, which made for the first below normal departure since October of 2011. Temperatures for the period averaged 68 degrees across the state which was 1 degrees cooler than normal . High temperatures averaged from 79 in the West to 76 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 4 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 59 degrees in the West to 57 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 96 at OWENSBORO AWSS and the extreme low was 32 at CYNTHIANA 8N. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.78 inches statewide which was 2.26 inches above normal and 164% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 5.93 inches, Central 5.50 inches, Bluegrass 5.71 inches and East 5.97 inches, which was 2.42, 1.63, 2.49 and 2.49 inches above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.25 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of 10.05 inches at JACKSON 3SE. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120901 to 20120930(Last 30 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 79 -3 59 1 69 -1 5.93 2.42 169 96 33 CENTRAL(CD2) 78 -2 58 1 68 -1 5.50 1.63 142 93 34 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 77 -2 57 0 67 -1 5.71 2.49 177 91 32 EAST(CD4) 76 -4 57 2 67 -1 5.97 2.49 172 92 33 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 78 -2 58 1 68 -1 5.78 2.26 164 96 32

=== Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period August 2012 Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: * Meteorological summer has officially come to end with the closing of August. This past month was very unusual as Kentucky experienced an August unlike most in the past. While we started and ended the month with above or near normal temperatures, the same cannot be said for the middle of August, where it felt like fall had already made an appearance. Normally we would be experiencing hot and humid weather, but this year, the state saw 2 straight weeks of below normal temperatures. After multiple strong cold fronts, the Bluegrass State witnessed multiple periods of surface high pressure, where cool and dry conditions were evident. During this period, some spots saw lows drop all the way into the upper 40s. As we moved into the last week of August, all eyes were on Hurricane Isaac in the Atlantic, especially those feeling the impacts of this ongoing drought. The state had not seen a hurricane track through the region since Dennis and Katrina in 2005. Isaac's track eventually left the Bluegrass State seeing scattered opportunities of rainfall with multiple bands progressing through the area. It was very slow moving and most sections of the Commonwealth saw at least an inch of rainfall. Areas out west received an average of 2 inches, which was highly beneficial as they remain in extreme to exceptional drought conditions. Even after the remnants of Hurricane Isaac completely made themselves clear of the state, Kentucky was still below normal for August and by nearly an inch. This accounts for the 8th month going back to August 2011 where the Commonwealth has seen below normal precipitation. Temperatures for the period averaged 75 degrees across the state which was 0 degrees from normal. High temperatures averaged from 89 in the West to 84 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 65 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 1 degree warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 101 at BENTON 4N and the extreme low was 49 at BURKESVILLE 3W. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.83 inches statewide which was 0.93 inches below normal and 75% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.36 inches, Central 3.26 inches, Bluegrass 2.03 inches and East 2.67 inches, which was 0.13, 0.5, 1.71 and 1.39 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.51 inches at HARRODSBURG 3N to a high of 11.25 inches at ELIZABETHTOWN 8W. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120801 to 20120831(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 89 1 65 0 77 0 3.36 -0.13 96 101 49 CENTRAL(CD2) 86 -1 64 0 75 -1 3.26 -0.50 87 101 49 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 86 1 63 -1 74 -1 2.03 -1.71 54 99 49 EAST(CD4) 84 -2 63 1 73 -1 2.67 -1.39 66 95 49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 86 -0 64 0 75 -0 2.83 -0.93 75 101 49 === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period July 2012 Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: * Hot and humid conditions dominated the Bluegrass State for the month of July and accounted for the 3rd warmest July on record according to the Midwestern Climate Center. After a very hot end of June, no relief came throughout the month of July. Temperatures were uniform throughout the period with an upper level ridge fluctuating across Kentucky for most of the month. Average highs were very warm with the western climatic division reaching an average of 95 degrees. The NWS in Louisville reported seeing there warmest month on record with an average of 84.5 degrees, which broke the record back in 1901 of 84.2 degrees. This record was helped with the city of Louisville going over the century mark 7 times throughout July. The state ended the month with an average of being 4 degrees above normal, which was assisted greatly in the first week, when the state wide average temperatures soared to 8 degrees above normal. Numerous high temperature records were broken among that time span and helped July account for the 9th straight month of above normal temperatures. Drought conditions continued to persist across the state, but with widespread variations. Minimal precipitation in the west (average of 2.75 inches) has caused the ongoing drought to expand and deepen to the point that 12.93% of the state is now under exceptional drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor. While the western climatic division continues to experience the drought deepening, portions of the central and east have seen dramatic improvement. The passage of frontal boundaries the last few weeks of July has provided the area with beneficial rainfall and caused the state average to end the month above normal for the first time since January. The NWS in Jackson reports seeing its second wettest July on record. In accordance with above normal rainfall, portions of Eastern Kentucky are now seeing only abnormally dry conditions or in some instances, no drought conditions at all. Temperatures for the period averaged 80 degrees across the state which was 4 degrees warmer than normal . High temperatures averaged from 95 in the West to 89 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 71 degrees in the West to 68 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 107 at CARBONDALE ASOS and the extreme low was 59 at CARBONDALE ASOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.94 inches statewide which was 0.6 inches above normal and 114% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.75 inches, Central 5.00 inches, Bluegrass 4.99 inches and East 7.03 inches, which was -1.48, 0.62, 0.73 and 2.53 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.81 inches at HENDERSON 5E to a high of 10.56 inches at CARLISLE 5SW. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120701 to 20120731(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 95 6 71 4 83 5 2.75 -1.48 65 107 59 CENTRAL(CD2) 92 4 70 4 81 4 5.00 0.62 114 106 61 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 91 5 69 4 80 4 4.99 0.73 117 105 59 EAST(CD4) 89 2 68 5 78 3 7.03 2.53 156 103 60 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 92 4 70 5 80 4 4.94 0.60 114 107 59 === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period June 2012 Above Normal Temperatures and Much Below Normal Rainfall: * The month of June seemed to be a month full of extremes; from extreme temperatures to extreme drought conditions. The month started off with temperatures below average by 3 degrees over the first week and warmed up to near average by the second week. This was soon an afterthought as a record- breaking warming trend pushed temperatures to an average of 5 degrees above normal the last week of June. Temperatures rose well into the low 100’s, breaking multiple records across the state. According to the NWS in Louisville, the city of Louisville ended the month with 3 straight days of 100 degree weather, which makes for the longest stretch of 100 degree days in the month of June on record. The city has only seen 20 days of 100 degree weather in June since 1872. The record warmth helped mark the 8th straight month with above average temperatures. In regards to precipitation, the month of June was very dry with precipitation amounts continuing their below average trend for the 5th straight month. Dating back to the week of May 20th, the state has had 7 straight weeks of near or below average precipitation. As shown below, the state averaged 0.88 inches of rainfall, which is 3.51 inches under the average amount of precipitation we should see this time of year. Preliminary data indicates that June 2012 was the second driest on record. The latest warm temperatures and minimal precipitation amounts have had an unfortunate impact on drought conditions in the area and have deepened agricultural concerns. As of the start of the month, drought conditions were in the abnormally dry to moderate stage in the western part of the state with nearly no drought conditions evident in the central and eastern portions. This drought has deepened significantly over the past month with extreme drought conditions being observed in the western regions and the rest of the state, extending to a moderate drought. Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 1 degree warmer than normal and 4 degrees warmer than the previous period. High temperatures averaged from 90 in the West to 86 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 62 degrees in the West to 60 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 1 degree warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 110 degrees at BOWLING GREEN APT and the extreme low was 43 degrees at MONTICELLO AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.88 inches statewide which was 3.51 inches below normal and 20% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.98 inches, Central 0.68 inches, Bluegrass 1.10 inches and East 0.77 inches, which was 3.3, 3.71, 3.31 and 3.71 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.07 inches at HINDMAN 5N to a high of 4.30 inches at SHELBYVILLE 10W. * = Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120601 to 20120630(Last 30 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 90 4 62 -2 76 1 0.98 -3.30 23 108 44 CENTRAL(CD2) 87 3 62 0 74 1 0.68 -3.71 15 110 44 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 85 2 60 -1 73 1 1.10 -3.31 25 104 45 EAST(CD4) 86 2 60 1 73 2 0.77 -3.71 17 106 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 87 3 61 -0 74 1 0.88 -3.51 20 110 43 === Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period May 2012 Much Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: * ...One of the Warmest Springs on Record... It was the first week of May 2012, with record and near-record temperatures above normal by 12 degrees that started the month off in the wrong direction. It was a difficult month for some sections of the Commonwealth. Indeed, the first two weeks had above normal rainfall, but the second two weeks were very dry, especially in the western section of the state where severe drought returned and the region received less than half the normal rainfall. Combined with the previous 3 months with below normal rainfall and temperatures and one can easily see why this was a difficult month for agriculture, especially in western sections of the state. According to the National Weather Service, a historically warm March across Kentucky was followed by much- above- normal temperatures in May. Throw in temperatures that ran just slightly above average in April, and that's enough for one of the warmest springs on record, according to preliminary data. Most long-term climate sites in Kentucky broke records, with Louisville and Bowling Green surpassing the old marks by 3 degrees! It's also worth noting that 3 of the last 6 springs rank among the warmest 10 springs. Temperatures for the period averaged 70 degrees across the state which was 5 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 83 in the West to 79 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 60 degrees in the West to 58 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 8 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 96 at CADIZ 4SW and the extreme low was 39 at BURKESVILLE 3W. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.07 inches statewide which was 0.85 inches below normal and 83% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.26 inches, Central 5.12 inches, Bluegrass 4.50 inches and East 4.42 inches, which was 2.8, 0.02, 0.17 and 0.4 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.38 inches at PADUCAH ASOS to a high of 7.24 inches at LOUISVILLE APT. * = Based on preliminary data Climate Summary for May 2012 Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120501 to 20120531(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 83 5 60 5 72 5 2.26 -2.80 45 96 41 CENTRAL(CD2) 81 4 59 5 70 5 5.12 -0.02 100 95 39 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 79 4 58 6 69 5 4.50 -0.17 96 92 39 EAST(CD4) 79 2 58 8 69 6 4.42 -0.40 92 93 39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 80 3 59 6 70 5 4.07 -0.85 83 96 39 === Climate Summary for March, April and May 2012 Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120303 to 20120531(Last 90 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 76 7 53 6 65 7 7.30 -7.14 51 96 24 CENTRAL(CD2) 74 6 52 7 63 6 11.27 -2.71 81 95 22 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 71 5 50 7 60 5 9.59 -2.83 77 92 20 EAST(CD4) 72 4 50 9 61 6 10.40 -2.57 80 93 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 73 5 51 7 62 6 9.64 -3.81 72 96 20 ============================================================================================== Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period April 2012 Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall: April 2012: One of the Ten Driest and in the Top 15 Warmest Aprils on Record: Preliminary data indicated that April 2012 was one of the 10 driest Aprils on record. Compare this April to last year which received nearly 12 inches and was on of the wettest April on record. While severe weather occurred during April 2012, it was mostly a quiet month. The first week of the month was the warmest, thereafter the remainder of the month received near normal temperatures. The month started out dry and continued to get drier the remainder of the month, such that sections of the Commonwealth returned to moderate drought; with nearly 50 percent of the state in abnormally dry to moderate drought category. While the state received 48 percent of normal rainfall as a whole, the west only received 24 percent of normal rainfall. Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 2 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 72 in the West to 69 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 0 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 49 degrees in the West to 45 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 90 at POPLAR BLUFF ASOS and the extreme low was 24 at MONTICELLO AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.07 inches statewide which was 2.28 inches below normal and 48% of normal. Prelininary data indicated that April 2012 was one of the 10 driest Aprils on record. Compare this April to last year which received nearly 12 inches and was on of the wettest Aprils on record. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.17 inches, Central 2.15 inches, Bluegrass 2.41 inches and East 2.55 inches, which was 3.77, 2.29, 1.56 and 1.51 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.41 inches at MARION 4NE to a high of 4.39 inches at MOREHEAD 4NE. Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120401 to 20120430(Last 30 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 72 2 49 3 61 3 1.17 -3.77 24 90 29 CENTRAL(CD2) 71 3 47 3 59 3 2.15 -2.29 48 86 26 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 67 1 45 2 56 1 2.41 -1.56 61 85 25 EAST(CD4) 69 0 45 4 57 2 2.55 -1.51 63 87 24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 70 2 46 2 58 2 2.07 -2.28 48 90 24 Kentucky Monthly Rainfall Ranked Rank Value Year 1 1.12 1976 2 1.45 1986 3 1.75 1963 4 1.92 1960 5 1.96 1992 6 2.00 2001 7 2.24 1946 8 2.29 1934 9 2.58 1997 10 2.68 1971 11 2.77 1952 12 2.87 1985 13 2.87 1950 14 2.91 1942 15 2.98 1959 April Monthly Temperature Rankings Rank Value Year 1 61.1 1954 2 60.6 1981 3 60.0 2006 4 60.0 2001 5 59.8 1955 6 59.6 2010 7 59.5 1948 8 59.3 1967 9 59.0 1985 10 59.0 1977 11 59.0 1957 12 58.9 1991 13 58.8 1941 14 58.7 2002 15 58.6 2011 16 58.6 1964 17 58.5 1946 18 58.4 1999 19 58.3 1960 20 58.2 1994 --- Kentucky Climate Summary [MP3] . For the Period March 2012 Well Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: While March 2012 was mostly a quite month, it didn't start out that way. March roared in like a lion this year as a powerful storm system brought huge hail and devastating tornadoes to the region on the 2nd. Numerous tornadoes touched down in Kentucky that afternoon, and surrounnding states, including an EF4 that ripped through Henryville, IN, just north of Louisville, along its 49- mile long path. The EF4 was the area's strongest tornado in 16 years and the deadliest single tornado here since the infamous Super Outbreak of April 3, 1974. Other than the tornadoes, the big news of the month was certainly the amazing warmth. Many daily records were set and it ended up as the warmest March ever recorded for Paducah, Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, Jackson and London...and #3 at Frankfort. Louisville basked in 9 days of 80 degree warmth and Bowling Green had 11 days in the 80s -- both records for March for those locations. Other than a little frost northeast of Lexington on the 27th, fortunately there were no cold temperatures once the heat set in and vegetation throughout the region burst into full bloom. But, this being Kentucky, in addition to many days in the 80s, we also had the biggest snowfall of the season this month! After a nearly snowless winter, an Alberta Clipper swept through the Ohio Valley and dropped 3 to 6 inches of snow in a swath from Hoosier National Forest through Louisville to the northern Blue Grass. The very next day we had high temperatures around 70 degrees. Temperatures for the month of March 2012 for the entire state averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 11 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 71 in the West to 69 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 11 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 10 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 50 degrees in the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 13 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 13 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 88 at LOUISA 1S and the extreme low was 20 at CARLISLE 5SW. Listed below are the top 10 warmest Marchs. State: Kentucky Element: Mean Temperature Assign Rank to: By Unique Value Requested Period: March Rank Value Year 1 58.0 2012* 2 55.6 1945 3 54.9 1946 4 53.2 2007 5 53.2 1973 6 53.1 1935 7 52.5 1938 8 51.5 1976 9 50.3 1974 10 50.2 1967 *=Based on preliminary data Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.94 inches statewide which was 0.51 inches below normal and 88% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.17 inches, Central 4.54 inches, Bluegrass 3.06 inches and East 3.99 inches, which was 0.58, 0.15, 0.96 and 0.36 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.62 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of 6.43 inches at BARBOURVILLE 3E. Element: Precipitation Rank Value Year 1 1.50 1966 2 1.53 1937 3 1.83 1941 4 2.05 2003 5 2.12 1969 6 2.15 1971 7 2.29 1957 8 2.43 1983 9 2.49 1959 10 2.57 1947 ... 34 3.94 2012* *=Based on preliminary data Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120301 to 20120331(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 71 11 50 13 60 11 4.17 -0.58 88 86 24 CENTRAL(CD2) 70 12 48 12 59 12 4.54 -0.15 97 86 22 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 67 11 47 13 57 12 3.06 -0.96 76 84 20 EAST(CD4) 69 10 46 13 58 12 3.99 -0.36 92 88 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 69 11 48 13 58 11 3.94 -0.51 88 88 20 (Sources: NWS Paducah, NWS Louisville, NWS Jackson, Kentucky Mesonet, UKAWC.) --- Kentucky Climate Summary, [MP3] . For the Period February 2012 The "Year Without Winter" Continued for Kentucky During February: Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall: February 2012 will go into the record books as one of the more mild February's in the past 100 years and the continuation of possibly the "year without winter" for Kentucky and much of the eastern United States. This was the fourth straight month since November 2011 with above normal temperatures. Most locations reported 2 to 3 days with temperatures approaching or exceeding 70 degrees. Only the second week of the month experienced below normal temperatures. Preliminary data suggest this December thru February was the 7th mildest winter in the past 100 years. Most of the rainfall events occurred during the first half of the month with limited snow. Fields and farmsteads were very muddy at the beginning of February. The second half of the month experienced a lenghty dry spell and fields had a chance to dry somewhat. This "Leap Day" February 29th, ended the month with strong to severe storms and tornadoes (4 confirmed) moving thru the Bluegrass state causing significant damage and loss of life. More here and here. Temperatures for the period averaged 42 degrees across the state which was 4 degrees warmer than normal and 3 degrees warmer than January 2012. High temperatures averaged from 52 in the West to 51 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 35 degrees in the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 7 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 85 at PEABODY and the extreme low was 7 at PIKEVILLE 13S. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.49 inches statewide which was 1.31 inches below normal and 65% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.95 inches, Central 2.38 inches, Bluegrass 2.42 inches and East 3.20 inches, which was 2.28, 1.74, 0.87 and 0.38 inches below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.57 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of 5.16 inches at BARBOURVILLE 3E. Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120201 to 20120229(Last 29 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 52 2 35 6 44 5 1.95 -2.28 46 77 14 CENTRAL(CD2) 52 4 34 6 43 5 2.38 -1.74 58 78 12 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 49 3 32 6 40 4 2.42 -0.87 74 72 11 EAST(CD4) 51 2 33 7 42 5 3.20 -0.38 89 85 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 51 3 34 7 42 4 2.49 -1.31 65 85 7 --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period January 2012 Above Normal Temperatures and Near Normal Rainfall: After wading through the wettest year on record (2011) for the Bluegrass state, January 2012 came back with near normal rainfall, very little snowfall, and unseasonably mild temperatures. This January at 39 degress was the 14th warmest January on record with 1950 as the warmest January (near 45 degrees). The coldest January was 1977 at 18 degrees. Rank Value Year 1 44.8 1950 2 43.3 1932 3 43.1 1949 4 43.0 2006 5 42.8 1937 6 42.7 1933 7 42.0 1990 8 41.0 1998 8 41.0 1952 9 40.8 1974 10 40.7 1989 11 40.6 1953 12 39.6 1947 13 39.2 2005 14 39.0 2012 15 38.8 1939 Temperatures for the period averaged 39 degrees across the state which was 6 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 49 in the West to 49 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 31 degrees in the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 8 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 69 at FORT CAMPBELL and the extreme low was 10 at HARTFORD 3E. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.74 inches statewide which was 0.01 inches above normal and 100% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.09 inches, Central 4.11 inches, Bluegrass 3.88 inches and East 3.88 inches, which was -0.84, 0.12, 0.66 and 0.09 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.02 inches at OWENSBORO AWSS to a high of 5.10 inches at CINCINNATI. Listed below are links to NWS offices' January 2012 summaries: Louisville Jackson Summarized and averaged data for the period 20120101 to 20120131(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ExtremeTemp STATION MAX DEV MIN DEV AVR DEV TOTAL DEV %NORM HI LO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEST(CD1) 49 6 31 6 40 6 3.09 -0.84 79 69 10 CENTRAL(CD2) 49 7 31 6 40 7 4.11 0.12 103 67 11 BLUEGRASS(CD3) 46 5 29 6 37 5 3.88 0.66 120 64 11 EAST(CD4) 49 5 31 8 40 7 3.88 0.09 102 69 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE 48 6 30 6 39 6 3.74 0.01 100 69 10 --- Wettest Year for Kentucky: 2011 2011 was the wettest year on record for the Bluegrass state. The wettest period was April and May, which was the wettest 2 month stretch on record. Most of the rainfall came in April, which was the wettest April on record, and record flooding occurred as a result on the Ohio River and its tributaries in western portions of the state. Despite the record wet spring, the Commonwealth experienced significant agricultural drought over the summer and into fall. Highly scattered rainfall, oppressive heat, and high humidity stressed livestock and crops. By the end of August over 70% of the state was abnormally dry. September brought above normal rainfall and below normal temperatures to much of the state, however far western portions of the state stayed hot and dry. Drought conditions gradually dissipated through October and after an abnormally wet November all abnormally dry areas of the state were gone. In fact it was the 7th wettest November on record, followed by a December that has been abnormally wet thus far. Listed below are the top 5 years record rainfall for the state as a whole. The total for 2011 is preliminary through Dec. 31st. Ranking of Kentucky Top 5 Yearly Rainfall Totals Rank Value Year --------------- 1 64.34 2011* 2 62.93 1950 3 62.86 1979 4 58.88 1989 5 57.82 1935 * = preliminary For Lexington, rainfall since Jan 1, the total to date was 66.35 inches, which was 21.18 inches above normal. Last year, rainfall todate for Lexington was only 38.04 inches. For Louisville, the yerarly total was 68.02; Jackson 60.01 and London was 61.30. For Paducah, rainfall since Jan 1, the total to date was 74.85 inches, which was 25.77 inches above normal. Last year (2010), rainfall to-date for Lexington was only 38.04 inches. Overall for agriculture it was a tough year. Planting and field work was delayed by weeks due to the record wet April and May. Then the hot and dry summer stressed both livestock and crops. --- Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period December 2011 Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall: December 2011 was a mild month but the story was the above normal rainfall which placed the entire state as the wettest year on record for over the past 100 years. Listed below are the top 5 years record rainfall for the state as a whole. Several weather stations in southeast Kentucky received over 15 inches for the month. For the entire year the whole state was over 15 inches above normal. The total for 2011 is preliminary through Dec. 31st. Ranking of Kentucky Top 5 Yearly Rainfall Totals Rank Value Year --------------- 1 64.34 2011* 2 62.93 1950 3 62.86 1979 4 58.88 1989 5 57.82 1935 * = preliminary Temperatures for the period averaged 42 degrees across the state which was 4 degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 50 in the West to 52 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 34 degrees in the West to 34 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 69 at BOONEVILLE 2S and the extreme low was 12 at MONTICELLO AWOS. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.59 inches statewide which was 1.14 inches above normal and 126% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 6.27 inches, Central 4.69 inches, Bluegrass 5.42 inches and East 5.96 inches, which was 1.39, -0.13, 1.55 and 1.73 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.68 inches at MOREHEAD 4NE to a high of 15.21 inches at MIDDLESBORO AWOS. Summarized and averaged data for the period 20111201 to 20111231(Last 31 Days) (Not for Legal purposes. Departure from Norms based on climate divisional Averages) ---