KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 2004 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 --- Kentucky Climate Summary December 2004* Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation The month began with above normal temperatures and precipitation amounts. Jackson and London set record highs as temperatures climbed into the lower 70's ahead of a storm system. Winds gusts with the low pressure center reached as high as 50 miles per hour. Rain and thunderstorms continued during the second week of the month with mild temperatures. The main weather maker this month was the winter storm that pounded the state a few days before Christmas. Western Kentucky was hit with as much as 2 feet of snow and 5 foot snow drifts. Central and norhtern Kentucky had nearly a foot of snow and sleet. Freezing rain added about a quarter of an inch of ice to the ground from Lexington to Hopkinsville. Eastern Kentucky escaped with just rain. Temperatures were very cold behind the storm, dropping well below zero in many locations and setting record lows. The end of the year brought above normal temperatures, which helped begin to melt all the wintry precipitation. Statewide monthly precipitation has been above normal for the past 9 months. Statewide average temperatures are below normal for the first time since August 2004. A quick note about the large amount of precipitation Kentucky received during 2004. Louisville and Jackson had their wettest years ever with 65.52 and 62.40 inches of precipitation, respectively. Lexington had its second wettest year on record, measuring 62.45 inches. London recorded 65.22 inches, which would be a record, but due to incomplete records it is not "official". January through December of 2004 was the 9th wettest year in Kentucky in the past 110 years. Statewide average precipitation was 56.34 inches, which is 7.35 inches above normal. On the flip side, western Kentucky was much drier. Paducah measured 40.67 inches this year, which is 8.57 inches below normal and nearly 2 feet less than areas of central and eastern Kentucky. Temperatures during 2004 averaged 56.6 degrees, which is the 33rd warmest year and 1 degree above normal. Temperatures for the period averaged 36.4 degrees across the state which was 0.8 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 45 in the West to 47 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 29 degrees in the West to 32 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 8 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.91 inches statewide which was 0.53 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.17 inches, Central 5.75 inches, Bluegrass 4.53 inches and East 5.14 inches, which was -0.40, +0.92, +0.55 and +1.28 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.14 inches at Jackson to a high of 6.73 inches at Louisville. *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary November 2004* ***8th Warmest November on Record (past 110 years)*** Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation The month of November began with record high temperatures and plenty of rain. The season's first frost and freeze advisories were issued during the second week of the month across the eastern part of the state. The cloudy weather was persistent due to an upper level trough developing across the central plains keeping the track of low pressure systems moving over Kentucky. The first snow flurries of the season fell on Thanksgiving Day across northern and eastern Kentucky. All weeks during the month average above normal temperatures. Three of the four weeks averaged above normal precipitation amounts. The wet year continued across the Bluegrass State. Louisville recorded 8.31 inches of precipitation for their 3rd wettest November on record. Lexington measured 7.32 inches of precipitation this November marking the 2nd wettest November on record. Precipitation has been above normal for the past 8 months. Temperatures have been above normal for the past 3 months. Temperatures for the period averaged 50.7 degrees across the state which was 4.3 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 59 in the West to 59 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 44 degrees in the West to 43 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees above normal in the West to 10 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation for the period totaled 5.23 inches statewide which was 1.14 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 6.50 inches, Central 5.43 inches, Bluegrass 5.52 inches and East 3.92 inches, which was 1.98, 1.14, 1.85 and 0.19 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.64 inches at Henderson to a high of 8.31 inches at Louisville. Climate Division Data by State between Two Dates From the Midwestern Regional Climate Center Kentucky 11/ 1/2004 to 11/30/2004 Temperature Precipitation cd temp norm dev prcp norm dev percent 1 51.5 47.8 3.6 6.50 4.52 1.98 144 2 51.4 47.1 4.3 5.43 4.29 1.14 126 3 49.9 45.9 4.0 5.52 3.68 1.85 150 4 50.3 45.8 4.5 3.92 3.73 0.19 105 State 50.7 46.6 4.1 5.23 4.04 1.19 129 *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary October 2004* ***8th Wettest October on Record (past 110 years)*** ***16th Warmest October on Record (past 110 years)*** Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation The first week of October was very dry across Kentucky. It was also when many areas experienced the first frost of the season as lows dropped into the middle and upper 30's. By the second week of October, western Kentucky finally got some decent rainfall as the remnants of tropical storm Matthew dropped about an inch of rain. The last three weeks of October were very wet and warm across the state. Storm systems would stall keeping stationary fronts in the region. This meant lots of clouds, dense fog, and rain. Temperatures were well above normal during the last half of the month. During some nights low temperatures were as much as 20 degrees above normal. After recording the driest September on record, Louisville recorded the wettest October on record with 8.72" of rain. This includes a one day total of over 5 inches. This was the 3rd wettest October in Lexington (6.97") and 5th wettest October in Jackson (4.96") on record. October 2004 was 3.5 degrees warmer and 2.58 inches of precipitation wetter than October 2003. Average rainfall across the state has been above normal for the past 7 months. Temperatures for the period averaged 60.6 degrees across the state which was 4.0 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 72 in the West to 70 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree above normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 52 degrees in the West to 51 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 6 degrees above normal in the East. Rainfall for the period totaled 5.00 inches statewide which was 1.87 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.58 inches, Central 4.91 inches, Bluegrass 6.28 inches and East 4.52 inches, which was 1.41, 1.71, 3.35 and 1.59 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.54 inches at Grayson to a high of 8.71 inches at Louisville. * Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary September 2004* Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation Statewide average temperatures for September 2004 averaged slightly above normal. The main weather makers during the month were the remnants of tropical systems Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Just after Labor Day rain from Frances inundated Bluegrass and Eastern Kentucky prompting flood watches and warnings. After a week of relatively dormant weather, more rain fell over the same areas due to Ivan. The last two weeks of the month were dominated by high pressure. Rain from Jeanne skirted eastern Kentucky late in the month, but most areas remained dry. Heavy rains in Pennsylvania and West Virginia caused the Ohio River to overflow its banks in northwest Kentucky causing some flooding problems. In spite of the flooding, Paducah, Evansville IN, Louisville, and the Louisville NWS Office set record low September precipitation amounts of 0.02", 0.09", 0.09", and 0.18" of rain, respectively. In fact, it was the driest month ever for Paducah (dating to 1970) and second driest month ever for Louisville (dating to 1872). Conversely, London set a record for September precipitation with 8.50" of rain (dating to 1954), and Jackson recorded 7.55" of rain making it the 2nd wettest September at that location (dating to 1981). For the state, September 2004 was the 29th wettest in the past 110 years. It also tied as the 48th warmest in the same time period. September 2004 was 2.5 degrees warmer and 1.98 inches of precipitation drier than September 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 69.1 degrees across the state which was 0.7 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 82 in the West to 79 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree above normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 58 degrees in the West to 59 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Rainfall for the period totaled 4.24 inches statewide which was 0.76 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.69 inches, Central 3.38 inches, Bluegrass 4.33 inches and East 7.51 inches, which was -2.68, -0.52, +1.07 and +4.10 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.02 inches at Paducah to a high of 8.50 inches at London. Kentucky 9/ 1/2004 to 9/30/2004 Temperature Precipitation cd temp norm dev prcp norm dev percent 1 70.5 70.0 0.5 0.69 3.37 -2.68 21 2 70.0 68.8 1.2 3.38 3.90 -0.52 87 3 68.8 67.8 1.0 4.33 3.26 1.07 133 4 67.8 67.3 0.6 7.51 3.41 4.10 220 State 69.1 68.4 0.7 4.24 3.48 0.76 122 *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary August 2004* * 7th Coolest August on Record in the past 110 years * 11th Coolest June through August on Record in the past 110 years Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation The pattern of the cool and wet summer continued through the month of August. Some locales in central and eastern Kentucky still have not reached the 90 degree mark this year. At the beginning of the third week record lows were set across the state as temperatures dropped into the upper 40's in some spots. Several rain events were common this month, which brought the average rainfall across to above normal values. Precipitation values have been above normal for the past 5 months, and this month was the 25th wettest month in the past 110 years. Temperatures have been at or below normal for the past 3 months. August 2004 was 4.7 and 3.1 degrees cooler than August 2003 and July 2004, respectively. Temperatures for the period averaged 71.6 degrees across the state which was 3.4 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 83 in the West to 81 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 61 degrees in the West to 61 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. Rainfall for the period totaled 4.31 inches statewide which was 0.70 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.99 inches, Central 4.37 inches, Bluegrass 4.53 inches and East 4.36 inches, which was 0.80, 0.85, 0.81, and 0.46 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.37 inches at Quicksand to a high of 5.52 inches at Henderson. Climate Division Data by State between Two Dates From the Midwestern Regional Climate Center Kentucky 8/ 1/2004 to 8/31/2004 Temperature Precipitation cd temp norm dev prcp norm dev percent 1 72.7 76.8 -4.2 3.99 3.19 0.80 125 2 72.1 75.4 -3.3 4.37 3.52 0.85 124 3 71.1 74.5 -3.3 4.53 3.72 0.81 122 4 70.8 73.7 -2.9 4.36 3.91 0.46 112 State 71.6 75.0 -3.4 4.31 3.60 0.70 120 * Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary July 2004* ***9th Wettest May-July on Record (110 years)*** Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation July 2004 was cooler than normal statewide. This was evident as record low temperatures were set from Paducah to Jackson late in the month. Also, several locations, including Lexington, Jackson, and London have not yet hit 90 degrees this year. Precipitation values were above normal for the 4th month in a row, though severe weather and severe flooding were at a minimum. July has been beneficial for farming allowing many windows of opportunity for agricultural activities due to the cooler and wetter than normal trends. July 2004 was the 15th coolest and 25th wettest July on record in the past 110 years. July 2004 was 2.2 degrees warmer than June 2004 and 0.9 degrees cooler than July 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 74.7 degrees across the state which was 1.4 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 85 in the West to 84 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 66 degrees in the West to 65 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 0 degrees from normal in the East. Rainfall for the period totaled 5.46 inches statewide which was 0.99 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.54 inches, Central 6.07 inches, Bluegrass 6.65 inches and East 5.05 inches, which was 0.43, 1.55, 2.14 and 0.61 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.33 inches at Paducah to a high of 9.02 inches at Bardstown. * Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary June 2004* ***8th Wettest May/June on Record (110 years)*** Normal Temperatures and Near Normal Precipitation June 2004 was a very average month, in terms of temperature and precipitation. West, central, and bluegrass areas of Kentucky all averaged about a half an inch of precipitation below normal, which is welcome news after the extremely wet May 2004. Eastern Kentucky experienced more rain this month bringing the state average slightly above normal. The beginning of June was warmer and wetter. The highest temperatures of the month (lower 90's in western Kentucky) were measured during this time. By mid-month air masses from Canada were able to infiltrate our region bringing cooler drier air. The last weekend in June brought record low temperatures to Paducah and Jackson. June 2004 was the 51st wettest and the 48th coolest on record in the past 110 years. June 2004 was 3.5 degrees warmer and 2.08 inches drier than June 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 72.5 degrees across the state which was 0.0 degrees from normal and 3.0 degrees warmer than May 2004. High temperatures averaged from 84 in the West to 80 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 64 degrees in the West to 62 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 0 degrees from normal in the East. Rainfall for the period totaled 4.32 inches statewide which was 0.06 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.99 inches, Central 4.36 inches, Bluegrass 4.35 inches and East 4.33 inches, which was -0.48, -0.63, -0.53 and +1.37 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.36 inches at Henderson to a high of 7.13 inches at Jackson. Climate Division Data by State between Two Dates From the Midwestern Regional Climate Center Kentucky 6/1/2004 to 6/30/2004 Temperature Precipitation cd temp norm dev prcp norm dev percent 1 74.1 74.5 -0.4 3.51 3.99 -0.48 88 2 73.3 72.9 0.4 3.73 4.36 -0.63 86 3 72.0 71.9 0.1 3.82 4.35 -0.53 88 4 70.9 71.0 -0.1 5.70 4.33 1.37 132 State 72.5 72.5 0.0 4.32 4.26 0.06 101 *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary May 2004* Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation ***3rd Wettest May on Record (110 Years)*** ***4th Warmest (tie) May on Record (110 Years)*** May was an extremely warm and wet month for Kentucky. Temperatures started out cold as record low temperatures were recorded across eastern portions of the state. By the second week of May, a high pressure system formed over the southeastern United States, which brought warm humid air north keeping daytime highs well into the 80's and morning lows in the upper 60's and lower 70's. The warm moist atmosphere also provided the trigger for afternoon thunderstorms nearly every day. Over Memorial Day weekend, Kentucky had its first severe weather outbreak of the season. Two separate weather events brought numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the Bluegrass State. Heavy rain, lightning, hail, and flooding were also reported. May 2004 was 4.9 degrees warmer and 2.25 inches wetter than May 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 69.5 degrees across the state which was 5.1 degrees above normal and 13.5 degrees warmer than April 2004. High temperatures averaged from 80 in the West to 79 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 61 degrees in the West to 59 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 9.02 inches statewide which was 4.03 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 7.65 inches, Central 9.90 inches, Bluegrass 9.99 inches and East 8.80 inches, which was 2.66, 4.64, 5.08 and 3.95 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.37 inches at Paducah to a high of 10.55 inches at Bardstown. Kentucky 5/ 1/2004 to 5/31/2004 Temperature Precipitation cd temp norm dev prcp norm dev percent 1 70.9 66.3 4.6 7.65 4.99 2.66 153 2 70.3 64.7 5.5 9.90 5.26 4.64 188 3 69.2 63.7 5.6 9.99 4.91 5.08 203 4 68.0 63.1 4.9 8.80 4.85 3.95 181 State 69.5 64.3 5.1 9.02 4.99 4.03 181 *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary April 2004* Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation April was generally a wet month with temperatures right at normal for this time of year. Frost and freeze events occurred three times at the beginning, middle, and end of the month as low temperatures dropped into the lower 30's. During the second full week of April, measurable snowfall was recorded across west central areas of the state. However, the rest of the precipitation during the month came in the form of rain. Severe weather was not a major issue this month as most thunderstorms were isolated and relatively weak. However, flooding was a problem as flood watches were issued for south central and eastern Kentucky during the third week of April. As far as warm temperatures are concerned, a few 80+ degree temperatures were recorded. These values were offset by the near freezing temperatures allowing for an average temperature within a degree of the normal. April 2004 was the 32nd wettest and the 45th warmest April in the past 110 years. April 2004 was 1.9 degrees cooler than April 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 56.0 degrees across the state which was 0.4 degrees above normal and 6.8 degrees warmer than March 2004. High temperatures averaged from 68 in the West to 66 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 46 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 1 degree above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.79 inches statewide which was 0.70 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 5.02 inches, Central 5.74 inches, Bluegrass 4.22 inches and East 4.26 inches, which was 0.49, 1.54, 0.32 and 0.44 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.51 inches at Henderson to a high of 6.67 inches at Glasgow. * Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary: March 2004* Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation March began very warm and very wet as the first week had temperatures about 10 degrees above normal and precipitation over an inch above normal. The weather returned to normal conditions during the middle of the month as temperatures remained near average. However, conditions were dry, which continues to add to the precipitation deficit for 2004. March brought Kentucky its warmest temperatures of the year so far as highs reached near record heat in the lower 80's. March ended with a cold and wet spell. A persistent upper level trough over Kentucky was responsible for continuous north winds, cloudy skies, and scattered rain showers. March 2004 was the 23rd warmest and the 47th driest March in the past 110 years. March 2004 was 0.5 degrees warmer than March 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 49.2 degrees across the state which was 3.0 degrees above normal and 12.1 degrees warmer than February 2004. High temperatures averaged from 61 in the West to 59 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 41 degrees in the West to 39 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.20 inches statewide which was 0.40 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.18 inches, Central 4.68 inches, Bluegrass 3.60 inches and East 4.27 inches, which was 0.50, 0.19, 0.75 and 0.13 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.44 inches at Paducah to a high of 4.63 inches at Berea. *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary: February 2004* Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation Just like January, February was a month of contrasts. The first week of the month brought below temperatures and above normal precipitation causing flooding in eastern parts of the Commonwealth. The last three weeks brought very little in the way of precipitation to Kentucky as average departures were nearly an inch below normal each week. Temperatures were at or above normal for the same three weeks. High pressure was a main player in Kentucky weather for this month leading condition to be dry and mild. February 2004 was 3.7 degrees warmer than February 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 37.1 degrees across the state which was 0.1 degree below normal and 4.7 degrees warmer than January 2004. High temperatures averaged from 47 in the West to 47 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 27 degrees in the West to 29 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.59 inches statewide which was 1.18 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.11 inches, Central 3.01 inches, Bluegrass 1.71 inches and East 3.24 inches, which was 1.94, 1.13, 1.73 and 0.23 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 1.25 inches at Covington to a high of 4.89 inches at London. *Based on Preliminary Data --- Kentucky Climate Summary: January 2004* Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation January's temperature averaged near normal despite several temperature extremes throughout the month. The new year began with highs in the lower 70's. The last weekend in January brought Kentucky its first subzero lows of the winter season. Precipitation averaged above normal in part to significant rains at the beginning of the month that caused flooding. In the third week of January, a major winter storm brought a mixed bag of precipitation. Western areas were lucky to have a rain event, while ice covered central areas, and snow blanketed northern Kentucky. January was a month of contrasts as it started out warm and wet and ended cold and dry. January 2004 was 4 degrees warmer than January 2003. Temperatures for the period averaged 32.4 degrees across the state which was 0.6 degrees above normal and 5.5 degrees cooler than December 2003. High temperatures averaged from 41 in the West to 41 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 24 degrees in the West to 24 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 0 degrees from normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.04 inches statewide which was 0.66 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 3.51 inches, Central 3.84 inches, Bluegrass 4.24 inches and East 4.46 inches, which was -0.19, -0.18, +0.79 and +0.76 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.32 inches at Mayfield to a high of 4.96 inches at Hardinsburg. *Based on Preliminary Data ---