WHO: University of Kentucky experts on weather and its impacts – Meteorological, agricultural, and the impact on people’s mood and mental outlook.

WHAT: Tom Priddy is the longtime director of the University of Kentucky’s Agricultural Weather Center and can speak to the factors that are causing the unusual weather patterns in Kentucky, the Ohio Valley, and nationally. “Kentucky badly needs to dry out,” said Priddy. “Flooding from overflowing streams plays havoc with people’s lives, and the saturated soil prevents farmers from doing any kind of preparation work in their fields.” In the short term, however, it looks like the state is in for more above-normal precipitation and temperatures, according to Priddy.

John Neill, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry in the UK College of Medicine, is renowned for his work in helping people recognize and deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). “During long dreary periods of winter, the lack of exposure to sunlight can have a real impact on people’s moods,” said Neill. “This can result in irritability, a general lack of energy, and food cravings, such as a desire for sweets and carbohydrates. SAD becomes a problem when it starts to affect one’s ability to follow a normal routine and meet responsibilities.”

MORE: Call UK Public Relations at the numbers listed above to set up interviews with either Tom Priddy or John Neill.
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An Equal Opportunity University
Carl Nathe
UK Public Relations
104 Mathews Bldg.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0047
Phone: (859) 257-1754
Fax: (859) 257-2635