A MikJournal Moment 08/25/2019

A possible pattern change for some...
Widespread rainfall anticipated over much of Kentucky this week with 1-3" expected, relieving areas that have had little rainfall over the last 2 months.

Jackson KY still looks dry...
At only 0.17" for the month of August, Jackson could use some much needed rainfall. Hopefully, they get in on it. At least an inch is expected over the next few days.

Mesonet sites still under 1" for the month...
There are still 12 Kentucky Mesonet locations that have not received at least 1" of rainfall for the month, mainly confined to areas of the Bluegrass region in central Kentucky.

It was a dry July in Louisville...
The 1.31" was the driest July in Louisville since 2002.

Charleston WV gets more rain...
Coming close to going below normal for the year in the rainfall department, Charleston picked up 2.69" during the past week.

Death Valley temperatures...
Highest temperature this summer has been 125 degrees. During July, the warmest low temperature for the month was 102.

MS

MikJournal Monday 08/19/2019...Change From Hot and Dry?

Good Monday morning. I awakened to some computer issues this morning. That's always fun. Hopefully, this post will make it to your screen.

Anyway, let's talk weather. More and more people living in Kentucky are beginning to understand what I've been dealing with for several weeks here near Louisville: a lack of rainfall.

It has rained only two days this month for a drought-busting 0.71" at my place in Valley Station. I heard thunder around 1:00 this morning, but no rainfall here once again. The airport picked up 0.01" and now has 0.60" for the month. Yay!

Through yesterday, there were 22 Mesonet sites in Kentucky that have registered less than 0.50" this month. The Drought Monitor report due this Thursday will likely show an expansion of the 'abnormally dry' areas. I still don't think anyone really qualifies for moderate drought status yet.

And it appears that nobody will. Maybe. The CPC has our region in a 40-50 percent chance for above normal rainfall in the day 6-10 time frame. But, that drops to a 33-40 percent chance for above normal readings in the 10-14 day time period.

Temperatures that have been soaring well into the 90's lately, flustering meteorologists who make forecasts, will be coming down. I mean we're not talking record lows here, but it should feel much better than what we've been dealing with here lately.

In the meantime, here is something we do not regularly talk about during the summer months, a top ten list of driest months.

I know we still have 12 days to go before the end of the month. But, for those who are curious, here are a few locations who stand a realistic chance of making the top ten driest August list. In the list below, I used the 10th place value. Obviously, that means anything greater than that amount will not be on the list.

Louisville....0.96" (0.60")
Lexington....1.26" (0.41")
Jackson........2.64" (0.07")
London........2.02" (0.00")

As for temperatures, yesterday really highlighted what a dry ground can do for temperatures. Several areas of central and eastern Kentucky soared into the mid 90's. Lexington recorded a high of 97 degrees, beating out Louisville's 96. These values only add more intensity to sucking out the moisture from an already dried out ground, or at least the top few inches of the soil.

So, let's hope for some much needed rainfall. The CPC gives us a fair shot for above normal rainfall along with the beleaguered GFS.

Have a good week everyone.

MS

MikJournal Monday 08/12/2019...Mid-Month Update

Happy Monday to one and all, the beginning of another week of summer. And boy, will summer be playing the part.

After a brief respite from the throngs of summer heat, it's coming back with a vengeance, perhaps the hottest temperatures of the year for some, especially if you're inclined to believe the naysayers about the 'fake' excessive heat from a couple of weeks ago.

Along with the heat, there might be a chance of...wait for it...rain??? Say it ain't so! Well.... I'm not going to say much about that, other than some of us might still be dealing with brown/dormant lawns. But, let's hope that some of us will get in on those beneficial rains.

Louisville, officially, has only had 1.31" since July 1.

By comparison, Louisville has received just 0.32" since July 24. Death Valley CA has recorded 0.22" during the same time frame.

According to the CPC, precipitation chances should begin to normalize, especially after next week. We will see about that. Even hotter temperatures are forecast after the middle of the month. Either we're talking about high heat AND humidity, or else high heat with little chances for precipitation. Regardless, overall temperatures will be above average throughout the period through at least the 24th of the month.

Paducah continues to lead all reporting locations in Kentucky in the precipitation department with just over 52" for the year. That's good enough for 28th wettest year on record so far.

For the rest of us, abnormally dry conditions will likely spread from last week's figures with the next Drought Monitor report this Thursday. Many could use at least 1-2" rainfall. I know I could use it.

Here's something you won't see often. This is the Las Vegas NV forecast page. Excessive Heat Watch for the southern part of the state and in the favored desert areas while Frost Advisory for higher elevations of central and northern Nevada.



Have a good week, everyone.

MS