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Summer Weather Outlook Uncertain, Says K-State Researcher June 10, 2005 — While Kansas was above normal in precipitation for the first week of June, the amount of moisture the state will receive for the rest of the summer is unclear, said Mary Knapp, state climatologist with Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension. There is no clear signal yet to say whether there will be an abundance of rain or a shortage for June, July and August in Kansas, said Knapp, who heads the state’s Weather Data Library. The chance is good, however, for Nebraska to have a cooler and wetter summer than normal while west Texas and Arizona are predicted to be dryer and hotter than normal, Knapp said. How that dry weather from the southwest United States will affect the monsoon season can subsequently determine the amount of moisture that southwest Kansas will receive. “In May, there were record highs and lows for temperature, but temperatures for June will have to be really high to break the overall monthly average record since records of about 118ºF were made during the drought in the 1930s,” Knapp said. “There could be daily records broken though, because not every day’s record is extremely high for June in Kansas.” While some months so far this year have had below-normal precipitation, the year as a whole in Kansas has had above-normal precipitation. For example, for the year as of May 31, the state was 9% above normal precipitation, with a 10.75-inch (in.) average. The state average for precipitation in May was 3.73 in., or 7% below normal, she said. For April and May together, the average rainfall was 5.73 in., which is 10% below normal. June, however, started off very differently. Precipitation for the first five days of June in Ellsworth, Kan., was 1.44 in., 203% above normal. Great Bend had 1.63 in., which was 251% above normal, and Manhattan had 4.37 in., which was 486% above normal. Rainfall June 1-5 in Goodland, at 1.02 in., was 185% above normal. In Emporia 3.55 in. of rain fell, which was 418% above normal, and Yates Center had 3.15 in., or 332% above normal. Moisture and temperature tend to be opposite of each other in that when moisture is high, temperature will usually be low and vice versa, Knapp said. She predicted that Kansas would have above-normal rainfall the first half of June, but said it is hard to tell whether any moisture or temperature records will be broken. Keeping cool and hydrated during hot summer days is important, the climatologist said. She gave some tips to stay cool and prevent heat stress or stroke: • Drink sufficient amounts of water throughout the day, rather than once or twice a day. It is hard to drink a lot of water at one time unless the body is used to it. Knapp recommends drinking water the night before an outdoor activity to get the body hydrated and ready for the greater demand for water. • Be cautious if taking medications. Some containing antihistamines, even over-the-counter drugs, can affect the body’s ability to keep hydrated and regulate temperature. • Be aware of young children and older adults because they can be more sensitive to heat, and it is more difficult for them to stay hydrated. Older adults’ perceptions are sometimes poor, and they may not realize that they are overheated. • Avoid sunburn. The body regulates temperature through perspiration, and, if the skin is burnt, it is harder for the body to do this. Other health hazards are associated with sunburns, as well. — This article was written by Leah Bond of K-State Research and Extension, which provided the release. |
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