Skip to main content

"Seasonal Turnabout"

My how the tides have turned! One of the most unbelievable stats I have ever seen come from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY is the difference in yearly rainfall from this time last year compared to now (Dec 10, 2012). Take a look...

 Jan 1 - Dec 10, 2011 Accumulated Rainfall: 72.61"

Jan 1 - Dec 10, 2012 Accumulated Rainfall: 27.93"

An "average" annual rainfall at Paducah measures at 49.08" (1981-2010). The lowest annual recorded rainfall was measured at 35.40" (1953). The highest annual recorded rainfall was measured at 74.85" (2011).

With only a few weeks left to count towards the record of 2012 and only small changes in the overall weather pattern, yet another substantial record may be marked in the history books. It is a seasonal shift like nothing I have ever seen before but maybe something similar to what we should get used to. I asked Senior Meteorologist, Stu Ostro of The Weather Channel what his thoughts were concerning such an abrupt turnabout and he gave the following statement....
“This is not surprising, as climate scientists expect an increase in precipitation extremes, paradoxically both on the wet and dry side, due to increased evaporation from increased heat. Also, strong, persistent atmospheric patterns are setting up which are very wet or very dry, and appear to be related to the warming.” -Stu Ostro

Once the yearly climate summary is posted by the Paducah National Weather Service, I will push additional updates through this post and blog.


For now, there isn't a time when I don't look at those number and think, what's next? The worst drought of Western Kentucky's history continues today with a deficit of 18.13" of rain. While the severity of the drought has been reduced from exceptional to severe, we still have a long way to go to get to a healthy start to Springs growing season.

Comments

Unknown said…
It seems we are just are little above the average for the 11-12 seasons @ 50.27 with 49.08 as the last 30yr average. Not much change in 30yrs it seems.
CJ Allan said…
I'm interested in seeing where all this goes......
keep it coming Jen.............& Thanks :)
Beau Dodson said…
Hmmm - would be nice to have an email "subscribe" button. Don't know if your software can let you add that? Then people can subscribe and receive an email notification when you have a new post.
at the bottom of the blog page there is a link to "Subscribe to" :)
Beau Dodson said…
When I hit subscribe it brings up Google Reader and Google Home Page. Were you able to get it to send an email notification when a new post is made? Thanks

Popular posts from this blog

Mid-South Winter Outlook 2023-2024

Getting a general idea of what the upcoming Winter months (December, January and February) will look like for our region can be heavily influenced by El Nino and La Nina episodes. Global and oceanic forecasters have observed El Nino conditions in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean and an EL NINO ADVISORY has been issued. The episode is expected to continue through Spring (March, April and May) in the Northern Hemisphere. Model projections are pointing to a strong, possibly very strong episode occurrence.  (Current Sea Surface Temps warming off S. America) Meteorologists look at monthly data from Dec - Jan - Feb to determine a winter season average, or define that period of time as Meteorological Winter. An average winter in the Local 6 area shows an average temperature of 37 degrees, average precipitation total of 12.18" and average snowfall of 8.4". The National Weather Service in Paducah has historical data that covers 7 of the past strongest El Nino episodes in the past

Planting Zones Heading North

As our global climate changes, so does our planting zones, helping us determine which flowers/shrubs/trees are hardy in specific areas. The Local 6 area has always been split by 2-3 growing zones so placement becomes very important to those in the agricultural community. The image below represents the average over the past 30 years. Climate Central published the following information:  "What kinds of flowers, shrubs and trees you’ll find at your local nursery depends on your climate — how warm it tends to get in summer, and how cold in winter. A plant that’s happy in Wisconsin might be miserable in Alabama, and vice versa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has formalized these differences into " hardiness zones " — strips of similar climate that run more or less east-to-west (except in the high mountains), where particular plants should do especially well. But as the planet warms under its thickening blanket of greenhouse gases, those zones are shifting northward. Th

Update: Impacts From Tropical Depression Bill

Friday AM Update Heavy rain still appears to be our greatest concern as the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill pass directly over the Local 6 area throughout the day today. A Flash Flood WATCH continues for Southern Illinois, SE Missouri, and the Ohio River counties in Western Kentucky through Saturday. Here is a look at today's forecast concerning rainfall totals from the Weather/Hydrological Prediction Center. In any given area, 2-4 inches of rain will be possible. Low-lying areas are most prone to flash flooding. Showers and storms will increase in coverage and intensity during the day on Friday.  Keep preparedness and awareness in mind as heavy rain moves in. Locate areas of higher ground in the event you need to retreat there. Never drive across flooded roadways. Keep children from playing in flood waters. Water depth and swiftness is difficult to determine. Below is the latest Flash Flooding Potential Briefing from the Paducah National Weather Service.