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October 2018 Climate Summary Now Available
Author: Crystal Stiles - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2018-11-07 17:44:51
Updated:
Cool and Wet
October was cool and wet for the majority of the High Plains. Below-normal temperatures were most evident across the Dakotas, while the wettest areas could be found in Kansas and eastern Colorado. Most of the region had experienced its first fall freeze by the end of the month, ending the growing season. The first snowfall of the season came early for several areas in the eastern part of the region, including Wichita, Kansas, which had its earliest snowfall on record, and areas of eastern North Dakota, where more than a foot of snow fell. These cool and wet conditions relieved drought and improved soil moisture conditions throughout the Dakotas, Kansas, and Colorado. While it did not help crops that were already being harvested, the rains were beneficial for the emerging winter wheat crop in Colorado, and it helped improve streamflow conditions across the state. However, October conditions caused a variety of issues. For instance, harvest was delayed due to excessively wet conditions, and some crop disease issues were reported. Additionally, the first fall freeze came early in parts of Kansas, causing damage to sorghum.
Overall, corn and soybeans did quite well in the High Plains this season thanks to generally favorable weather conditions. Luckily, the rapid maturation of crops limited freeze damage across the region this year. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted record high corn and soybean yields for Nebraska and South Dakota. However, corn and soybean harvest were both behind due to cool and wet weather in October. According to the October 30th U.S Department of Agriculture Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, corn harvest was 8-9 percent behind the 5-year average in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. However, soybean harvest was even further behind, with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska ranging from 14-17 percent behind the 5-year average while Kansas was 28 percent behind. Warmer, drier weather is needed to aid in the drying down of crops and wet soils so that producers can get back into the fields to complete harvest.
For more information on temperature, precipitation, and impacts from climate in October in the High Plains region, please see the link to the full PDF of the summary: https://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php
