December brought above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.
Kentucky has now received below normal precipitation for four months straight. Despite the low totals, overall spatial drought coverage was reduced from November. Although temperatures for the month were mild on the whole, an arctic event during the week of Christmas brought extremely cold weather and snow with wind chills well below zero.
Precipitation for the month totaled 3.55 inches, 0.66 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 4.07 inches, Central 3.70 inches, Bluegrass 3.03 inches and East 3.41 inches, which was 0.10, 0.85, 0.81, and 0.87 inches below normal respectively. Temperatures averaged 39 degrees for the month, 1 degree above normal. High temperatures averaged from 46 degrees in the West to 48 degrees in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 32 degrees in the West to 32 degrees in the East.
Tobacco stripped is at 82%, putting progress on par with historical levels for this juncture. Winter wheat condition was rated as 5% very poor, 7% poor, 25% fair, 59% good, and 4% excellent.
Pasture growth was stunted through much of the fall as a late season drought set in. During this period, grass stands were thin as fields were grazed in hopes of conserving hay. The period of frigid temperatures in December further stymied regrowth. This extreme cold snap put a good deal of pressure on livestock as well. The current hay supply is rated as 5% very short, 22% short, 65% adequate, and 8% surplus.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Tobacco