KENTUCKY MONTHLY AND ANNUAL CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR -- 2011 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

Wettest Year for Kentucky

2011 is 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. 

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For November 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Precipitation

Preliminary numbers show that this past November was the 7th wettest November on 
record. The past month was also the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th wettest November 
on record for Lexington, Paducah, Frankfort, Louisville, and Bowling Green 
respectively. The month started off mostly dry with many locations having 
received less than an inch by mid month. However; 3 slow moving systems dumped 
heavy rainfall on the state for the last half of the month. The heaviest rain 
fell in the western and central parts of the state from these systems. 
Temperatures were also above normal for the month, but only by a small amount. 
Low temperatures were the main reason it was an above normal November. This was 
mainly because cloud cover from the 3 heavy rainfall systems kept temperatures 
from dropping to low overnight. Although, temperatures this November did get 
cold enough for much of the state to see some light flurries late in the month.  

Temperatures for the period averaged 51 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees warmer than normal and 6 degrees cooler than the previous period. High 
temperatures averaged from 60 in the West to 61 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from near normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer 
than normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 44 degrees in the West 
to 39 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 
degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the 
East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 78 degrees at Barren River 
Lake and the extreme low was 18 degrees at Corners.

Precipitation for the period totaled 7.83 inches statewide which was 3.97 inches 
above normal and 203% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 
9.30 inches, Central 8.60 inches, Bluegrass 7.25 inches and East 6.16 inches, 
which was 4.84, 4.54, 3.87 and 2.62 inches above normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 3.29 inches at Big Sandy to a high of 
11.53 inches at Hopkinsville. 

Summarized and averaged data for the period 20111101 to 20111130(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)             60    1   43    5   51    2   9.01   4.49  199   78   21
CENTRAL(CD2)          61    3   43    6   52    4   8.44   4.33  205   77   19
BLUEGRASS(CD3)        59    2   42    5   50    3   7.18   3.77  211   74   20
EAST(CD4)             61    2   41    7   51    4   5.91   2.33  165   75   16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE                 60    2   42    6   51    3   7.63   3.73  195   78   16

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For October 2011

Below Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall

For the state as a whole October was slightly below normal for rainfall. 
However; the eastern half of the state received about 1.5 to 2 inches more 
rainfall than the western half. The major difference in rainfall came from a low 
pressure system that moved in from the south about mid way through the month. 
This dumped heavy rainfall on the eastern half of the state. Temperatures for 
the month were just below normal, with the first widespread frost having 
occurred on the morning of the 2nd. A widespread killing frost did not occur 
until the end of the month.  

Temperatures for the period averaged 56 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 70 in the West to 67 
in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees 
cooler than normal in the West to 3 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low 
temperatures averaged from 46 degrees in the West to 45 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in 
the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 86 degrees at Mayfield and the extreme low was 24 
degrees at Cynthiana.

Rainfall for the period totaled 2.83 inches statewide which was 0.47 inches 
below normal and 88% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.85 
inches, Central 1.99 inches, Bluegrass 3.63 inches and East 3.82 inches, which 
was -1.54, -1.30, 0.64 and 0.72 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
rainfall totals ranged from a low of 1.16 inches at Bowling Green to a high of 
5.03 inches at Pikeville.  

Summarized and averaged data for the period 20111001 to 20111031(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)             70   -2   45   -2   58   -1   1.85  -1.66   53   88   27
CENTRAL(CD2)          68   -2   45   -1   56   -2   1.99  -1.41   59   86   26
BLUEGRASS(CD3)        66   -3   44   -2   55   -2   3.65   0.56  118   83   24
EAST(CD4)             67   -3   45    2   56   -1   3.82   0.61  119   84   27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE                 68   -2   45    0   56   -2   2.83  -0.47   86   88   24


---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For September 2011

Below Normal Temperature and Above Normal Rainfall

September was the first month with below normal temperatures since January 2011, 
with every week having had average temperatures below normal. However; the month 
started off with the same summer heat we experienced in June, July and August, 
with highs in the upper 90s an even 100s the first few days. These highs did not 
last long, as the dry and hot weather of summer gave way to a wet and cool 
pattern. The change in temperature was so abrupt that a record high of 102 on 
the 3rd in Louisville occurred and just 3 days later on the 6th a record low 
high temperature of 66 was set. This was mostly due to the remnants of Tropical 
Storm Lee, which set up over the region. Lee’s remnants also dropped heavy 
rainfall everywhere but western parts of the state. Heavy rainfall also came 
late in the month from a cold front and deep cut off low pressure set up to the 
north, which dumped several inches of rainfall across the Commonwealth over 2 
days.  Preliminary numbers show this September to be the 11th wettest on record. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 66 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees cooler than normal. High temperatures averaged from 77 in the West to 74 
in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees 
cooler than normal in the West to 6 degrees cooler than normal in the East. Low 
temperatures averaged from 57 degrees in the West to 57 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree cooler than normal in 
the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 102 degrees at Louisville and the extreme low was 
34 degrees at Pikeville.

Rainfall for the period totaled 5.52 inches statewide which was 2 inches above 
normal and 157% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 5.25 
inches, Central 5.75 inches, Bluegrass 5.91 inches and East 5.18 inches, which 
was 1.74, 1.88, 2.69 and 1.7 inches above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 2.63 inches at Big Sandy to a high of 8.86 inches at 
Burlington.

Summarized and averaged data for the period 20110901 to 20110930(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)             76   -6   56   -2   66   -4   5.22   1.70  148  101   46
CENTRAL(CD2)          74   -6   56   -1   65   -3   5.75   1.88  149  102   45
BLUEGRASS(CD3)        72   -7   55   -1   64   -4   5.91   2.69  184  100   42
EAST(CD4)             73   -7   56    1   64   -3   5.17   1.69  149   98   34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE                 74   -6   56   -0   65   -3   5.51   1.99  156  102   31

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for September 2011 available
here.

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For August 2011

Near Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall

Preliminary numbers show that this August was the 17th driest on record. Most 
all rainfall for the month came in scattered showers and thunderstorms, which 
caused rainfall totals to vary greatly from location to location. Every week of 
August recorded below normal rainfall. Combined with the dry end of July, 
drought conditions expanded quickly from west to east across the Commonwealth. 
From the beginning of August to the end, drought conditions have gone from 
nearly no coverage to over 70% coverage of the state. Most of that area is 
abnormally dry; however 31% of the state is in moderate drought and 4% has gone 
into severe drought. This of course negatively affected agriculture in the 
state. Combined with the late start to planting and dry weather, corn and 
soybeans are behind the 5 year average of where they should be in every stage of 
growth. Pond levels are low and low relative humidity late in the month slowed 
curing tobacco. Temperature wise the state got some relief from the previous 
summer months, with near seasonal normal temperature almost every week.  Most 
locations such as Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, and London were right around 
their average days at or above 90 degrees, which was not the case just one month 
ago. However; Bowling Green did have 25 days at or above the 90 degree mark, 
well above their normal for August. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 76 degrees across the state which was near 
normal. High temperatures averaged from 89 in the West to 85 in the East. 
Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal 
in the West to 1 degree cooler than normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 64 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree warmer than normal in the West to 2 
degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the 
period was 104 at Poplar Bluff and the extreme low was 46 at Richmond. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 2.19 inches statewide which was 1.6 inches below 
normal and 58% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.20 inches, 
Central 1.47 inches, Bluegrass 2.49 inches and East 2.60 inches, which was 1.32, 
2.3, 1.28 and 1.5 inches below normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged from a 
low of 0.41 inches at Liberty to a high of 4.29 inches at Lexington. 

Summarized and averaged data for the period 20110801 to 20110831(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   67    1   78    1   2.20  -1.32   63  104   54
CENTRAL(CD2)          88    1   66    1   77    1   1.47  -2.30   39  103   51
BLUEGRASS(CD3)        86    1   64    0   75    0   2.49  -1.28   66   95   46
EAST(CD4)             85   -1   64    2   75    1   2.60  -1.50   63   97   46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE                 87    0   65    1   76    0   2.19  -1.60   58  104   46

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for August 2011 available
here. 
---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For July 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall

Preliminary numbers show that July 2011 was tied for the 5th warmest July on 
record. High temperatures more often than not were in the 90s, in fact 
Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Paducah all were well above the normal 
amount of days above the 90 degree mark. In addition to the heat, the humidity 
was particularly oppressive.  On the 11th and 12th, dew point readings (a 
measure of moisture in the air) soared into the lower 80s.  Lexington recorded 
its highest dew point on record:  81 degrees. This stressed both crops and 
livestock. Rainfall for the month was scattered across the Commonwealth, with 
stations showing a wide range of totals for the month. Some areas were missed by 
the scattered showers and thunderstorms so much that they became abnormally dry, 
and some locations entered into agricultural drought. Whether the month was dry 
or wet, however, depended greatly on how lucky you were to receive sporadic 
afternoon thunderstorms.  There were several days when isolated thunderstorms 
would drench one town with an inch or two of rain and leave the next town down 
the road completely dry.  An excellent example of this was in Jefferson County, 
Kentucky.  A rainfall observing site on the far east side of the county reported 
1.04" of rain for the month of July.  Bowman Field, just ten miles to the 
southwest, got 6.18".  Proceeding further, a mere five miles southwest of Bowman 
Field, Louisville International Airport recorded only 2.35".  Continuing on, the 
NWS office, just six miles southeast of Louisville International, was drenched 
with 6.69"!

Temperatures for the period averaged 80 degrees across the state which was 4 
degrees warmer than normal and 6 degrees warmer than the previous period.  High 
temperatures averaged from 91 in the West to 87 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 72 degrees in 
the West to 69 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 5 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal 
in the East. The extreme high temperature for the period was 100 degrees at 
Poplar Bluff and the extreme low was 56 degrees at Paintsville.

Rainfall for the period totaled 3.91 inches statewide which was 0.29 inches 
below normal and 93% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 3.20 
inches, Central 3.76 inches, Bluegrass 3.42 inches and East 5.27 inches, which 
was -0.90, -0.49, -0.70 and 0.92 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
rainfall totals ranged from a low of 0.67 inches at Russellville to a high of 
9.40 inches at Morehead. 

Summarized and averaged data for the period 20110702 to 20110731(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)             91    2   72    5   81    3   3.20  -0.90   78  100   64
CENTRAL(CD2)          90    2   71    5   80    3   3.76  -0.49   88   98   62
BLUEGRASS(CD3)        89    3   70    5   79    3   3.42  -0.70   83   97   61
EAST(CD4)             87    0   69    6   78    3   5.27   0.92  121   97   56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE                 89    2   70    5   80    4   3.91  -0.29   93  100   56

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for July 2011 available
here. 
Click here for the monthly summary (Ky mesonet + NWS weather stations).

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For June 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Rainfall

For June 2011 the Commonwealth experienced a wetter than normal month. 
Preliminary numbers show that this June was tied for the 18th wettest June, 
coming after the 11h wettest May and the wettest April on record. Preliminary 
numbers also show that all together this past April, May, and June totaled 24.2 
inches of rainfall. This made that 3 month stretch the wettest April through 
June on record by almost 3 inches, and was the 2nd only to the 3 month period 
starting November 1936 to January 1937 for wettest 3 month stretch on record. 
Since the beginning of the year the state has received 36.67 inches, which is 
the 3rd wettest January through June on record.  June itself started off dry and 
hot, totaling less than an inch of rainfall nearly midway through the month and 
highs topping out well into the 90s almost everyday. Conditions changed quickly 
over the next two weeks however; with over 4 inches of rain falling and 
temperatures right at or just below seasonal normals.    

Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees warmer.  High temperatures averaged from 87 in the West to 83 in the 
East.  Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree warmer than 
normal in the West to 0 degrees from normal in the East.  Low temperatures 
averaged from 68 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the East.  Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees warmer than normal in the West to 4 
degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high temperature for the 
period was 102 degrees at Owensboro and the extreme low was 49 degrees at 
Morehead.

Rainfall for the period totaled 5.29 inches statewide which was 0.87 inches 
above normal and 120% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 5.64 
inches, Central 5.43 inches, Bluegrass 5.13 inches and East 4.98 inches, which 
was 1.33, 1, 0.7 and 0.48 inches above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 1.16 inches at Poplar Bluff to a high of 11.32 inches at 
Middlesboro. 

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for June 2011 available
here. 
NWS departure from normal precipitation map for April through June 2011.
here. 
NWS departure from normal precipitation map for January through June 2011
here.
---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For May 2011

Near Normal Temperature and Above Normal Rainfall

Once again the Commonwealth experienced a wet month. May 2011 was the 11th 
wettest May on record. Combined with April 2011, rainfall for both months 
together was the wettest on record, totaling 18.91 inches. For this past May 
itself, conditions started off wet. However; for a 2 week period in the middle 
of the month rainfall was just below normal before wet conditions returned for 
the last full week. Temperature for the month was near normal, with the last 
several days ending on a hot note. Low temperatures were above normal across the 
state, with no killing frost during the month. Even combined with April 2011, 
the only killing frost occurred in far eastern parts of the state.    

Temperatures for the period averaged 64 degrees across the state which was 0 
degrees from normal.  High temperatures averaged from 75 in the West to 73 in 
the East.  Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees cooler 
than normal in the West to 3 degrees cooler than normal in the East.  Low 
temperatures averaged from 57 degrees in the West to 54 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees warmer than normal 
in the West to 5 degrees warmer than normal   in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 94 degrees at Louisville and the extreme low was 
30 degrees at Frankfort.

Rainfall for the period totaled 6.87 inches statewide which was 2.11 inches 
above normal and 144% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 7.73 
inches, Central 7.24 inches, Bluegrass 6.84 inches and East 5.67 inches, which 
was 2.8, 2.27, 2.34 and 1.02 inches above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 3.92 inches at Middlesboro to a high of 9.12 inches at 
Marion. 

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for May 2011 available
here.

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For April 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Rainfall

April 2011 was the wettest April ever recorded in the Commonwealth. The total 
rainfall nearly doubled the previous record for April set back in 1972. Most all 
locations across the state experienced their wettest April ever, and Frankfort 
and Cave Run even experienced their wettest month on record. Rainfall was 
heaviest in Western, Central, and Bluegrass regions of the state, especially 
along the Ohio River. The heavy rain caused major and even record flooding on 
the Ohio River and its tributaries in the western portion of the state. Fields 
were soaked nearly all month, making it nearly impossible for planting. 
Temperatures were also above normal as the southerly flow that kept the state 
wet also kept it warmer than normal. However; the first few days of the month 
the Commonwealth did experience some sub freezing low temperatures.  

Temperatures for the period averaged 60 degrees across the state which was 4 
degrees warmer than normal. High temperatures averaged from 72 in the West to 72 
in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees 
warmer than normal in the West to 4 degrees warmer than normal in the East. Low 
temperatures averaged from 52 degrees in the West to 49 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees warmer than normal 
in the West to 9 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 90 degrees at Booneville and the extreme low was 
22 degrees at Cynthiana. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 12.04 inches statewide which was 7.7 inches 
above normal and 277% of normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 13.98 
inches, Central 12.36 inches, Bluegrass 12.64 inches and East 9.18 inches, which 
was 9.06, 7.93, 8.68 and 5.13 inches above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 5.75 inches at Pikeville to a high of 16.14 inches at Nolin 
Lake. 

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for April 2011 available
here. 

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For March 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Precipitation

This past March started off wet. Heavy rains the first two weeks, combined with 
the wet ending of February caused flooding across the state. The surplus of 
rainfall in the front half of the month was enough to end all drought conditions 
across the Commonwealth. The second half of the month precipitation slowed down 
to around and just below normal. Temperatures for the majority of March were 
right around normal; however the middle of the month up to the start of Spring 
the state experienced some well above normal temperatures. For around a week’s 
time highs were topping out in the 70s and even 80s, before more seasonable 
temperatures moved back in for the last week and a half of the month. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 49 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees warmer than normal.  High temperatures averaged from 58 in the West to 
57 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 42 degrees in the West to 39 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees warmer than normal 
in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 83 degrees at Fort Campbell and the extreme low 
was 21 degrees at Vanceburg.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 4.58 inches statewide which was 
0.27 inches above normal and 106% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate 
division, West 4.86 inches, Central 4.56 inches, Bluegrass 4.24 inches and East 
4.68 inches, which was 0.27, 0.02, 0.35 and 0.46 inches above normal. By 
station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.08 inches at Owensboro to a 
high of 6.77 inches at Barbourville. 

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for March available
here.

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For February 2011

Above Normal Temperature and Above Normal Precipitation

February 2011 was the first month to have above normal precipitation since 
November 2010, and the wettest month since May 2010. More precipitation occurred 
in February than both January and December combined. The month did not start off 
wet, having had a near normal week and two below normal precipitation weeks. 
However; two strong low pressure systems coming in late in the month dumped 
heavy rainfall all across the Commonwealth. Both systems brought flooding and 
the year’s first reports of severe weather. These heavy rainfall systems put a 
significant dent in the drought situation across the state. Besides one bitterly 
cold week, the rest of February was either near normal or well above normal for 
temperature. Precipitation amounts totaled enough to be in the top 15 wettest 
February’s, while average temperature was in the top 25 warmest.  

Temperatures for the period averaged 40 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees warmer than normal.  High temperatures averaged from 48 in the West to 
51 in the East.  Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree 
cooler than normal in the West to 2 degrees warmer than normal in the East.  Low 
temperatures averaged from 32 degrees in the West to 32 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees warmer than normal 
in the West to 6 degrees warmer than normal in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 74 degrees at Benton and the extreme low was -10 
degrees at Bowling Green. 

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 5.61 inches statewide which was 
1.69 inches above normal and 143% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate 
division, West 5.76 inches, Central 6.36 inches, Bluegrass 5.88 inches and East 
4.44 inches, which was 1.40, 2.11, 2.48 and 0.75 inches above normal. By 
station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 2.03 inches at Pikeville to a 
high of 7.84 inches at Campbellsville. 

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for February available
here.

---
Kentucky Climate Summary
For January 2011

Below Normal Temperature and Below Normal Precipitation

The first day and the last couple days of January had above normal temperatures; 
however this was not the case for the rest of the month. The weeks in between 
averaged about 6 degrees below normal, during which time livestock cold stress 
reached the emergency level multiple times. Precipitation was below normal for 
the month, but widespread snowfall events occurred several times for a snowier 
than normal January. Most snow events were moderate, ranging from a dusting up 
to 4 or 5 inches with isolated areas having received some higher totals. Some 
statewide snow accumulations for the month are as follows; Jackson 13.6 inches, 
Lexington 11.4 inches, Louisville 10 inches, Bowling Green 7 inches, and Paducah 
4.3 inches. All of these locations were above normal for the month, with 
Louisville and Lexington even doubling their average. Snow totals including the 
month December are as follows; Jackson 32.1 inches, Lexington 24.1 inches, 
Louisville 16.3 inches, Bowling Green 15.3 inches, and Paducah 9.9 inches. All 
of these locations except Pahducah more than double their averages. By month’s 
end around 60% of the state still remains abnormally dry with around 7% still in 
severe drought. Overall this past January was tied for the 20th coldest and was 
the 18th driest on record.  

Temperatures for the period averaged 30 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees cooler than normal.  High temperatures averaged from 38 in the West to 
38 in the East.  Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees 
cooler than normal in the West to 6 degrees cooler than normal in the East.  Low 
temperatures averaged from 17 degrees in the West to 24 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 8 degrees cooler than normal 
in the West to 1 degree warmer than normal   in the East. The extreme high 
temperature for the period was 66 degrees at Barbourville and the extreme low 
was -9 degrees at Harrison County.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.08 inches statewide which was 
1.54 inches below normal and 58% of normal. Precipitation totals by climate 
division, West 1.84 inches, Central 2.12 inches, Bluegrass 1.78 inches and East 
2.60 inches, which was 1.96, 1.74, 1.34 and 1.08 inches below normal. By 
station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.63 inches at Poplar Bluff 
to a high of 3.80 inches at Booneville. Dewpoint temperatures for the state 
averaged near 23.2 degrees.

NWS departure from normal precipitation map for January available
here.