Worsening dryness expected to continue
Staff writer
As continental weather patterns move from El Nino to La Nina, expect warmer and drier weather during late summer and early fall, the National Weather Service says in its latest drought update.
Both in August and from now through October, expect a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 33% to 40% chance of below normal rainfall, weather service models predict.
In July, most of Marion County received three inches of rain. The Tampa and Ramona area received around four, as did an area around Florence and Peabody. A small area west of Peabody received upwards of six inches.
Total rainfall was near normal to as much as one to two inches above normal in those areas. Elsewhere in the county, however, total rainfall was between half to a full inch lower than normal.
So far in 2024, nearly all the county has received 20 to 25 inches of rain. An area from Durham to Lincolnville has received as much as 25 to 30 inches, according to weather service data.
That area has seen total rainfall two to six inches above normal for the year, but the rest of the county has been within two inches above or below normal.
The latest official drought watch rates the southwest quarter of the county as experiencing moderate drought and the rest of the county as being abnormally dry.
Statewide, 53% of Kansas is rated as abnormally dry, while 32% is rated in moderate drought. Only 4% is rated as being in severe drought.
Despite seemingly OK numbers, Marion County’s drought status actually degraded in July. On the other hand, when combining June and July, the northern half of the county improved.
As of late July, soil moisture was reported at near or below normal throughout most of the state, including Marion County.
Topsoil and subsoil moisture was rated as adequate in 52% of fields and in surplus in only 2%. Between 33% and 34% were short of moisture, and between 12% and 13% were very short.
Stream flow was below normal throughout most of Marion County.
July seemed quite warm to most residents. Despite multiple 100-degree days, however, average temperatures for the month were actually near to slightly below normal.
The state saw some improvement in drought conditions with near- to above-normal average precipitation.
However, below-normal precipitation in central, south-central, and southeast Kansas led to a worsening of drought conditions there.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest crop reports are positive for the most part, with more than half of fields in good or excellent condition.
Soybeans are rated excellent in 8% of fields, good in 43%, fair in 30%, poor in 13%, and very poor in 6%.
Corn conditions are excellent across 12% of fields, good in 40%, fair in 31%, poor in 12%, and very poor in 5%.
Sorghum is rated excellent in 7% of fields, good in 42%, fair in 38%, poor in 9%, and very poor in 2%.
Pasture and range conditions are similar, rating excellent in 8% of fields, good in 43%, fair in 30%, poor in 13%, and very poor in 6%.