KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 2010
By: Tom Priddy--UK Agricultural Weather Center
* Based on Preliminary Data. Graphs of Kentucky Monthly Temperature
and Rainfall available at:
http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/climgraphs/
and weekly graphs available within the UKAWC Kentucky Weather Information
Web site. Sources: UKAWC, NCDC and Midwest Regional Climate Center
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Kentucky Climate Summary
*For December 2010*
Below Normal Temperature and Below Normal Precipitation
This past December was cold, in fact the average temperature for the month was
the 5th coldest December on record. Most every day lows were below the freezing
mark, with several days staying below the freezing mark for highs. Snowfall
started early in the month, with Frankfort having received 5 inches the first
week of the month. Intermittent light to moderate snowfall continued thru the
month, with some locations getting ice on a couple occasions. For much of the
month many locations, especially north and east, had snow or ice accumulations
on the ground. It was only after the light snowfall around the 25th that snow
began melt away.
Temperatures for the period averaged 28.4 degrees across the state which was 8.8
degrees cooler than normal and 16 degrees cooler than the previous period. High
temperatures averaged from 38.8 in the West to 35.0 in the East. Departure from
normal high temperatures ranged from 8.3 degrees cooler than normal in the West
to 12.7 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from
21.4 degrees in the West to 21.7 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 7.7 degrees cooler than normal in the West to 5.3
degrees cooler than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the
period was 68.5 degrees at Cumberland County and the extreme low was -5.3
degrees at Madison County.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.13 inches statewide which was
1.1 inches below normal and 74.0% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 2.82 inches, Central 3.51 inches, Bluegrass 2.58 inches and East
3.61 inches, which was 1.77, 1.08, 1.12 and 0.44 inches below normal. By
station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.90 inches at Lewis County
to a high of 5.12 inches at Calloway County. Dewpoint temperatures for the state
averaged near 23.6 degrees.
*Preliminary Data*
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For November 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Precipitation
This November started off just like October and the late summer months, dry and
warmer than normal. This helped to further worsen drought conditions all across
the state, especially in the west along the Ohio River. However; November did
not stay dry as two widespread heavy rainfall systems moved into the
Commonwealth late in the month. Rainfall was heaviest in places where it was
needed the most, along the Ohio River in the western half of the state. These
two systems late in the month were enough to take what would have been one of
the driest Augusts thru Novembers, to only the 33rd driest August thru November
and total removal of hydrological and agricultural drought conditions in
Kentucky by the end of November. Temperatures remained around normal toward the
end of the month; however it did cool down enough for some light snowfall a
couple of times.
Temperatures for the period averaged 48 degrees across the state which was 2
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 59 in the West to 59 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree below
normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 37 degrees in the West to 36 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 2
degrees above normal in the East.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.64 inches statewide which was
0.61 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 5.44
inches, Central 5.29 inches, Bluegrass 4.07 inches and East 3.94 inches, which
was 0.98, 1.00, 0.40 and 0.21 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.47 inches at Dix Dam to a high of
6.92 inches at Covington.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For October 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall
Just like September, this October was drier and warmer than normal. Each week
this October, except the last, had below normal rainfall. In fact many locations
reported no rainfall each week. If it was not for the cold front that moved
across the state late in the month, this October would have been one of the
driest on record. This is much different than the October we experienced just
one year ago. Most days were cloud free across the state, and along with the
very dry conditions this created some large differences in daily high and low
temperatures. Most everyday highs were above normal; however overnight lows were
able to drop below normal most every night. This provided widespread frost and
even a freeze several mornings toward the end of the month.
Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 1
degree above normal. High temperatures averaged from 75 in the West to 71 in the
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees above normal
in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged
from 44 degrees in the West to 44 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below
normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 1.71 inches statewide which was 1.41 inches
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.58 inches, Central
1.72 inches, Bluegrass 1.45 inches and East 1.99 inches, which was 0.77, 0.60,
0.73 and 0.34 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 0.67 inches at Hardinsburg to a high of 2.23 inches at
Nolin Lake.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For September 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall
For many locations across the Commonwealth this was a September to remember.
Most notably having had a record month was Louisville, which experienced the
driest September ever and had 3 record high daily high temperatures in a row.
This September was also the 2nd driest in Frankfort, tied for 6th driest in
Lexington, and the 9th driest on record in Jackson. Rainfal amounts show
that this was the 17th driest September for the state as a whole. High
temperatures across the Commonwealth were also quite a bit above normal, with
places like Louisville, Bowling Green, Hardinsburg, Lexington, Henderson,
Mayfield, and Princeton having had double digit days above 90. For comfort this
September was fortunately not as humid as August was, keeping the heat index
down and livestock heat stress to a minimum. However; the dry air and hot
afternoons only further dried up vegetation, making this past September a month
to forget for farmers.
Temperatures for the period averaged 70 degrees across the state which was 2
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 85 in the West to 81 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees above
normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 58 degrees in the West to 57 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 1 degree
above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 1.72 inches statewide which was 1.77 inches
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.60 inches, Central
1.34 inches, Bluegrass 1.24 inches and East 2.42 inches, which was 1.01, 1.22,
1.27 and 0.33 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 0.12 inches at Louisville to a high of 5.71 inches at
Somerset.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For August 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall
This past August was one of the warmest on record, and the average for the month
was the 8th warmest for the state as a whole. For Louisville this was the 3rd
warmest on record and in Jackson it was the 7th. Daytime high temperatures were
noticeably high for the month, with Lexington, Louisville, and Paducah all
having the majority of days at or above 90 degrees. For the first half of the
month the Commonwealth also experienced very high humidity levels. This caused
heat indices to get above the 110 degree mark in several locations multiple
days, and also caused livestock heat stress to get to the emergency level
statewide multiple days as well. Rainfall was sporadic across the state and came
mostly from scattered to isolated storms. One large rainfall event did occur
this August, dumping almost all of the rainfall in the south central and south
eastern parts of the state. For some locations record rain fell from this event,
which helped to get the Central and Eastern climate divisions around to above
normal rainfall for the month.
Temperatures for the period averaged 78 degrees across the state which was 3
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 93 in the West to 87 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees above
normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 69 degrees in the West to 66 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees above normal in the West to 4
degrees above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 3.31 inches statewide which was 0.39 inches
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.12 inches, Central
3.79 inches, Bluegrass 1.38 inches and East 5.18 inches, which was -0.65, +0.39,
-1.80 and +1.13 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 0.49 inches at Henderson to a high of 7.81 inches at
Glasgow.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For July 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Slightly Above Normal Rainfall
This past July had above normal temperature just like the previous 3 months.
Emergency livestock heat stress was reached on a couple occasions during July,
for the central and western parts of the Commonwealth. Rainfall was slightly
above normal for the state as a whole; however the Western climate division
received far less than the rest of the state. The Bluegrass division received
the most rain, with around twice as much rainfall as the Western division.
Temperatures for the period averaged 79 degrees across the state which was 3
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 91 in the West to 87 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees above
normal in the West to 1 degree above 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 5 degrees above normal in the West to 3
degrees above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 4.50 inches statewide which was 0.03 inches
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.12 inches, Central
5.09 inches, Bluegrass 5.51 inches and East 5.23 inches, which was -1.35, +0.43,
+0.60 and +0.29 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 1.36 inches at Paducah to a high of 6.98 inches at
Campbellsville.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For June 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Slightly Below Normal Rainfall
This June was the 4th warmest on record, mostly caused by a strong upper ridge
over the southeast which pumped plenty of warm air into the Commonwealth. In
fact, this was the warmest June on record for Louisville, Jackson, and London
and was in the top ten warmest for Paducah, Bowling Green, Lexington, and
Frankfort. Unlike last May, rainfall this past June did not come over a couple
days but was instead spread out over the month in the form of scattered
thunderstorms. For the state as a whole rainfall was just below normal, with the
Bluegrass climate division having received the most and the western division the
least.
Temperatures for the period averaged 77 degrees across the state which was 5
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 89 in the West to 86 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees above
normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 70 degrees in the West to 67 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 7 degrees above normal in the West to 5
degrees above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 3.89 inches statewide which was 0.45 inches
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.69 inches, Central
4.10 inches, Bluegrass 4.73 inches and East 4.10 inches, which was -0.65, 0.02,
+0.49 and -0.04 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 1.43 inches at Hardinsburg to a high of 7.64 inches at
Williamstown.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For May 2010
Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Rainfall
May 2010 was the first month since October 2009 that has been above normal in
rainfall for the state as a whole. The main reason for the wet month was the
first two days of the month, when record rain fell in the state. During this
short two day period, many locations received nearly and even above their normal
rainfall for the entire month of May. This caused a great deal of flooding,
leaving fields saturated for a couple weeks. Besides those two record wet days
the rest of the month was near normal and even below normal for rainfall in some
locations. Temperature wise May was near normal, with the last full week in the
month being well above normal causing the overall average to be above normal.
Temperatures for the period averaged 67 degrees across the state which was 3
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 78 in the West to 76 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees below
normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East. Low temperatures
averaged from 60 degrees in the West to 57 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees above normal in the West to 2
degrees above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 8.01 inches statewide which was 2.96 inches
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 6.09 inches, Central
10.54 inches, Bluegrass 10.22 inches and East 6.67 inches, which was 1.10, 5.27,
4.60 and 1.82 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 5.19 inches at Cumberland Gap to a high of 11.28 inches at
Campbellsville.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For April 2010
Above Normal Rainfall and Below Normal Rainfall
This past April made for the 6th month in a row with below normal precipitation,
which had only one week with above normal precipitation. Bluegrass and Eastern
climate divisions were the driest, nearly being an inch below normal
precipitation. However; despite April having been drier than normal and portions
of the state seeing preliminary signs of drought from previous dry months,
mainly Central and Bluegrass divisions, timely and soaking rains early and late
in the month helped to ease our dry conditions this year. By the end of April
the drought monitor held parts of Central and Bluegrass climate divisions in
moderate hydrologic and agricultural drought. Temperatures, especially highs,
were noticeably above normal in the Commonwealth, which broke the previous 4
month streak of below normal temperature.
Temperatures for the period averaged 60 degrees across the state which was 4
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 73 in the West to 72 in
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees above
normal in the West to 7 degrees above 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 4 degrees above normal in the West to 2
degrees above normal in the East.
Rainfall for the period totaled 3.12 inches statewide which was 1.07 inches
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 3.70 inches, Central
3.82 inches, Bluegrass 2.19 inches and East 2.81 inches, which was 0.83, 0.38,
1.70 and 1.11 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals
ranged from a low of 1.92 inches at Covington to a high of 4.73 inches at
Hardinsburg.
Kentucky Precipitation Departure.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For March 2010
Near Normal Temperature and Below Normal Precipitation
The Commonwealth experienced another dry month, making this March the 5th month
in a row with below normal precipitation. The Bluegrass and Central climate
divisions were the driest, with the Western division only slightly below normal.
This puts most of the Bluegrass division and parts of the Central division, 36%
of the state, in the abnormally dry category for drought. In fact many locations
around the state are 3 to 6 inches below normal since January 1st. Temperatures
for the month started off cool, but quickly warmed up for a near normal March.
However, day time highs near the end of the month certainly ended March on a
warm note.
Temperatures for the period averaged 46 degrees across the state which was 0
degrees from normal. High temperatures averaged from 57 in the West to 56 in the
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal
in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged
from 38 degrees in the West to 36 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 3 degrees above
normal in the East.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.74 inches statewide which was
1.85 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.78
inches, Central 2.42 inches, Bluegrass 1.99 inches and East 2.58 inches, which
was 0.90, 2.45, 2.36 and 1.82 inches respectively below normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.05 inches at Spindletop to a high of
4.24 inches at Paducah.
Kentucky Temperature Departure and Precipitation Departure.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For February 2010
Below Normal Temperature and Below Normal Precipitation
Strong El Nino conditions in the equatoral Pacific provided the Bluegrass state
with winter weather unlike the past 30 years. Winter’s cold grip peaked this
February, with it having the furthest below normal temperatures of the winter
months and the 14th coldest February on record. The month started off cold and
ended cold with every week having below normal temperatures, giving no hint of
early Spring warm weather. Some locations this month were even cold enough to go
into the records in the top ten for coldest February ever. Precipitation was
well below normal just like each other month this winter and was the 24th driest
on record. Western sections of the state were by far the driest, with only far
eastern portions of the Commonwealth being close to normal. Despite being well
short of normal precipitation, many locations such as Louisville, Lexington, and
Jackson were around 8 inches above normal for snowfall.
Temperatures for the period averaged 30 degrees across the state which was 7
degrees below normal and was identical to January's average temperature. High
temperatures averaged from 39 in the West to 37 in the East. Departure from
normal high temperatures ranged from 11 degrees below normal in the West to 8
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 24 degrees in
the West to 24 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged
from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 1 degree below normal in the East.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.34 inches statewide which was
1.42 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.51
inches, Central 2.62 inches, Bluegrass 2.00 inches and East 2.99 inches, which
was 1.31, 0.47, 0.69 and 0.32 inches respectively below normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.19 inches at Covington to a high of
3.11 inches at Jackson.
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Kentucky Climate Summary
For January 2010
Below Average Temperatures and Just Below Normal Precipitation
Looking at the averages it would seem that January was calm just like December.
However; taking a closer look shows that the month contained quite a few
extremes. Right off the bat January started cold, with the first full week of
the month 14 degrees below normal mean temperatures for the state. Many
locations even spent record amounts of time consecutively below the freezing
mark for the first half of the month. By the 2nd and 3rd full week much warmer
temperatures entered the state, which even had mean temperatures 13 degrees
above normal for the Commonwealth. After the brief warm period, temperatures
plummeted to end the month on a cold note. Precipitation amounts varied
throughout the state, and despite below normal precipitation snowfall exceeded
normal amounts in most all locations. This made up for the lack of snowfall in
December. North central and western areas were slightly below average for
precipitation; however the south central and east were above average.
Temperatures for the period averaged 30 degrees across the state which was 3
degrees below normal and 6 degrees cooler than the previous month. High
temperatures averaged from 38 in the West to 37 in the East. Departure from
normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 2
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 23 degrees in
the West to 24 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged
from 1 degree below normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East.
Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.58 inches statewide which was
0.19 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.20
inches, Central 3.98 inches, Bluegrass 2.67 inches and East 4.18 inches, which
was -0.23, +0.06, -0.44 and +0.17 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.76 inches at Covington to a high of
4.93 inches at Cumberland Gap.
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