Pat Guinan
Pat Guinan
atmosphere degree harder predict spring summer weather
The atmosphere is pretty chaotic. That makes it much harder to predict spring and summer weather with any degree of certainty.
according areas average break degree degrees fell including january kansas local record short state west
According to preliminary data, 2006 fell just three-tenths of a degree short of the record average of 40.7 degrees set in January 1933. However, many areas of the state did break local records, including Kansas City, Joplin, Rolla, and West Plains.
below fell inches missouri mother near normal occurred
The mother of all droughts in southwest Missouri occurred from 1952 to 1956 when precipitation in Joplin fell more than 81 inches below normal in a five-year period. Fortunately, we're no where near that right now.
direction step welcome
This is a welcome step in the right direction, but we have a long way to go to make up the deficits.
drought ground june normal quick recovery restore water
Quick recovery from the drought is not likely. Even normal rainfall in May and June can't restore ground water levels.
below deficit drought eye less months normal past percent received
Joplin has been the bull's eye for the drought in Missouri, where 11 of the past 12 months have received below normal rainfall. The precipitation deficit is now approaching 20 inches, or less than 60 percent of normal.
becomes collateral enter fall imperative increase profile rains river safety soil spring stream summer winter
Right now we're working without our safety net. Fall and winter precipitation typically recharges the soil profile and increase pond, stream and river levels. Without that precipitation, it becomes imperative that spring rains come and give us the collateral we need as we enter the summer season.
growing season successful
And we'll need that for a successful growing season this year.
entire heaven
This was like manna from heaven for the entire state. And we need a lot more.
annual good june months nearly news providing showing spring third wet
The good news is that spring is our wet season, with the months of April, May and June providing nearly a third of annual precipitation totals. So far, the long-range outlooks are showing no indicators that spring will be dry.
dire full rains situation year
You have to look back 43 years, to 1963, to find anything this severe. It is a dire situation that may take over a year for full recovery, once the rains return.