Autumnal breeziness and warmth

Shaun Evertson
Posted 10/27/17

As sugarbeet harvest began to wind down, conditions across the tri-state region became rather more autumnal with warm, breezy days following crisp, frosty nights.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Autumnal breeziness and warmth

Posted

KIMBALL, Neb. – As sugarbeet harvest began to wind down, conditions across the tri-state region became rather more autumnal with warm, breezy days following crisp, frosty nights.

Summer crops continued to mature and dry down and some corn was being combined.

Recently planted winter wheat stands were looking pretty good for the most part, though blowing dirt was drifting in furrows in places.

Pastures and rangeland were drying down and much of the new and rebound growth was slowing
markedly.

Regional Forecast and Conditions

As of Tuesday morning (Oct. 24), the temperature at sunrise was 30 degrees under partly cloudy skies. The day was expected to be sunny, breezy and warm with a high near 60 degrees.

The forecast through the weekend calls for a warming trend with daytime highs going from 40 on Friday to 51 on Saturday to more than 60 on Sunday. Conditions are expected to be somewhat breezy under mostly clear skies. Little if any precipitation is anticipated. Weekend overnight lows are expected to fall to 15 degrees Friday night but only to the lower 30’s on Saturday and Sunday.

Monday-Wednesday daytime highs are expected to range in the low 50’s, with overnight lows falling into the upper 20’s. There is little chance of precipitation in the forecast.
Daytime air temperatures remained seasonally pleasant across the region last week, while overnight lows warmed slightly. At Kimball the Oct. 17-23 daytime high averaged 65.85 degrees, unchanged from the previous week. The weekly high temperature was 78 degrees on Oct. 17, 19 and 20. Overnight lows averaged 34.71 degrees, about 5 degrees warmer than the previous week. The weekly low temperature was 29 degrees on Oct. 22. The weekly mean temperature was 51.78 degrees, about 4 degrees warmer than the previous week, and about 3 degrees warmer than the October average of 48.6 degrees. The long term average high and low temperatures at Kimball for October are 64.3 and 32.8 degrees, respectively.
All 13 Panhandle stations reported precipitation over the Oct. 17-23 period, with liquid moisture totals ranging from 0.54 inches at Dalton to 0.11 inches at Harrison and Sidney 0.9 NNW. Panhandle precipitation averaged 0.30 inches compared to 0.04 inches last week.
Panhandle soil temperatures warmed over the Oct. 17-23 period: (this week/last week/change): Alliance 58.2/47.4 (+10.8) degrees; Gordon 51.6/48.9 (+2.7) degrees; Mitchell 53.9/51.1 (+2.8) degrees; Scottsbluff 51.3/48.5 (+2.8); and Sidney 51.9/47.1 (+4.8) degrees.
Winds near Kimball averaged south-southeasterly and occasionally quite brisk over the Oct. 17-23 period. Gusts for the week averaged 34.28 mph. High gust for the week was 52 mph on Oct. 21.

Oct. 27 Weather Almanac

Here’s an overview of Oct. 27 temperature and precipitation highs, lows, and averages over the preceding 123 years at Kimball. Data is taken from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (www.hprcc.unl.edu), where you can easily find and track data for your own particular location.

Last year: Daily high temperature 74 degrees, overnight low 34 degrees, average temperature 54.0 degrees. Precipitation 0.00 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.

The warmest Oct. 27 on record was 83 degrees in 1999. The coolest Oct. 27 high temperature was 18 degrees in 1925. The coldest Oct. 27 overnight low was 9 degrees in 2011. The warmest Oct. 27 overnight low was 45 degrees in 1961. Over the years since 1893 the high temperature on Oct. 27 has averaged 57 degrees, the overnight low 28 degrees, the daily average 42.9 degrees, precipitation has averaged 0.03 inches, snowfall 0.1 inches, snow depth zero inches.

The highest Oct. 27 precipitation total was 0.50 inches in 1925. The greatest snowfall was 5 inches in 1925. Greatest snow depth was 6.0 inches in 1997.

Snow has fallen on Oct. 27 at Kimball 8 times over the last 123 years, with 5.0 inches in 1925, 1 inch in 2011, one-half inch in 1905, and a trace in 1951, 1972, 1976, 1996, and 2002.

U.S. Drought Monitor

The High Plains: Dry conditions improved in southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas.

Abnormally dry conditions were expanded to the San Juan Mountains and Four Corners in southwest Colorado. This area did not receive as much moisture as areas to the north, west, and east during a recent
wet spell.

Much of the Dakotas continued to see improvements, with recent rainfall helping to slowly alleviate ongoing drought conditions. While there are lingering long-term deficits, local experts in North Dakota observe that farming conditions are currently very good.

West: Montana is experiencing slowly improving conditions, including vegetation and soil moisture. However, in Valley, Roosevelt, and McCone Counties, empty stock ponds remain and there are still large cracks in the soil. This week, conditions improved enough such that exceptional drought (D4, the most dire category) in the north near this area was improved one category to extreme drought (D3). Overall in Montana, large deficits still remain across the state. For example, Glasgow is 5 inches below normal for the year-to-date (53 percent of normal) and Zortman is 4.75 inches below normal (69 percent of normal). Wildfires still continue to burn in areas.

In Oregon, conditions have improved and moderate drought (D1) in Oregon and southern Washington were upgraded to abnormally dry (D0), which better reflect current impacts in the region.

National Summary: As usual, there were winners and losers with respect to precipitation this week. Heavy rain fell across much of the Midwest, particularly notable in an area stretching from eastern Iowa northeastward to Michigan where upwards of 600 percent of typical precipitation for the week was received. Rainfall was below-average across most of the Northeast, the South, and Southeast. Additionally, temperatures were almost summer-like for several days from the Midwest to the Northeast, where departures were up to 15-30 degrees above average in places, making it feel like August rather than October in many places. The dryness and heat brought about expansion of dry areas across parts the South, Southeast, and Northeast, while the Midwest saw the most improvements this week.

For more information on the U.S. Drought Monitor visit: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

U.S. Conditions and Weather Report

Multiple rounds of heavy precipitation overspread the Northwest, where weekly totals west of the Cascades generally ranged from 4 to 12 inches. Rain and high-elevation snow also reached the northern Rockies and briefly spread southward across northern California. In the latter region, the Oct. 20-21 precipitation event aided wildfire containment efforts.

Late-week rain also developed across the nation’s mid-section, stretching from the upper Mississippi Valley southward to the Gulf Coast. On Oct. 21, locally severe thunderstorms dotted the southeastern Plains.

Dry weather dominated the remainder of the country, with isolated showers mainly restricted to parts of the South and East. In the Corn Belt, as well as other areas, the extended period of mild, dry weather favored fieldwork, including summer crop harvesting and winter wheat planting.

Near- to above-normal temperatures covered the nation, except in parts of the West. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 5 to 10 degrees above normal across the nation’s northern tier from the northern Plains into New England. Similarly, readings averaged at least 5 degrees above normal in coastal southern California and parts of the Desert Southwest. Much of the Corn Belt, excluding the far upper Midwest, experienced some frost but not a widespread freeze, further extending the growing season.

USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Reports

Colorado

For the week ending Oct. 22, warm and dry weather helped harvest activities advance. Winter wheat planting was also nearing completion with emergence picking up.

In northeastern counties, reporters noted that sugarbeet harvest was in full swing, with harvest of hay winding down. Reporters also noted that more producers were beginning corn harvest as grain moisture levels dropped.

Potato harvest in the San Luis Valley was also noted to be nearing completion, with pastures and livestock in good condition.

In southeastern counties, a reporter noted that many producers were still waiting to begin sorghum and corn harvest while crops dry down.

Statewide, corn was rated 78 percent good to excellent, compared with 76 percent last year.

Stored feed supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 2 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 70 percent average and 30 percent light. Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 76 percent average, and 23 percent light. 


Nebraska

Temperatures averaged four to eight degrees above normal across Nebraska. Only minimal precipitation was recorded in the northwest and a few eastern counties, which allowed farmers to take advantage of the open week to make significant progress on the State’s soybean harvest. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 8 short, 84 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3 percent very short, 14 short, 80 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Corn condition rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 23 fair, 46 good, and 20 excellent. Corn mature was 97 percent, near 99 last year, and equal to the five-year average. Harvested was 26 percent, well behind 48 last year and 52 average.

Soybean condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 26 fair, 50 good, and 14 excellent. Soybeans harvested was 67 percent, behind 76 last year and 83 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 33 fair, 45 good, and 9 excellent. Winter wheat planted was 94 percent, behind 100 last year, and near 98 average. Emerged was 77 percent, behind 93 last year and 82 average.

Sorghum condition rated 3 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 53 good, and 22 excellent. Sorghum mature was 96 percent, near 100 last year and 98 average. Harvested was 34 percent, well behind 65 last year, behind 51 average.

Alfalfa fourth cutting was 93 percent complete, ahead of 88 last year.

Dry edible beans harvested was 84
percent.

Proso millet harvested was 84 percent, behind 97 last year.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 11 poor, 43 fair, 39 good, and 5 excellent.

Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 3 short, 95 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Wyoming

Wyoming experienced warmer than normal temperatures for the week. Thirty-one of the 34 reporting stations recorded above average temperatures for the week. The weekly high temperature of 83 degrees was recorded at Torrington with the low of 14 degrees at Big Piney.

Below normal moisture was reported at all 34 of the reporting stations with 29 stations reporting no precipitation. Yellowstone reported the most moisture with 0.25 inches.

A reporter from North Central Wyoming indicated that it has been dry with an increase in wind and no snow in higher elevations yet. They also indicated that harvest is complete and livestock look good.

A reporter from Western Wyoming reported that the weather has changed. They report that it has become dry, with sunny days and cold nights.

A reporter from Southeastern Wyoming indicated the weather is transitioning to winter.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 12 percent very short, 17 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.