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Extension Connections Radio Program is a weekly radio program from University of
Missouri Extension. My program is broadcast every two weeks on Tuesday.
The links below contain mp3 audio files of the program. Each link is individualized for a particular radio station with their call letters at the end of the program.
To download a mp3 audio file, RIGHT click on the appropriate link below, and choose "Save Link As", or "Save Target As".
| KCHI | KTTN | Regional Radio |
EXTENSION CONNECTIONS RADIO PROGRAM
By: Tim Baker
Northwest Region Horticulture Specialist
University of Missouri
Extension
102 Main, Suite 1
Gallatin, MO 64640
660-663-3232
BakerT@missouri.edu
Release Date: Thursday,
November 12, 2009
Air Date: Tuesday,
November 17, 2009
Title: “Precipitation Patterns”
Good afternoon and welcome to Extension Connection, your connection to Missouri's land grant based research institutions. University Extension is the outreach program of the University of Missouri system and Lincoln University. This is Tim Baker, Horticulture Specialist, with today’s program.
Most of the produce growers that I talk to have commented on how wet the year has been, and how it has affected their crops. Vegetable growers had both cool and wet weather to contend with this year, and sometimes quality and yields were down as a result. Growers with high tunnels fared somewhat better, which validates their worth.
But really, how wet was it? Dr. Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture team member and State Climatologist, released some preliminary numbers recently that put it all into perspective.
It turns out that statewide rainfall averages were more than 10 inches for the month of October. That makes this October the wettest in 68 years and second wettest in history. Dr. Guinan reported that the rainfall was about three times the normal rate for October. Preliminary rainfall data shows a statewide average of 10.17 inches, close to the 10.47 inches recorded in 1941.
It was also colder than normal. Observations indicate October also was the fifth coldest on record, averaging about 6 degrees below normal.
Several years ago, Dr. Guinan encouraged me to become involved in CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. I’ve been recording rainfall and snow amounts from my home in Gallatin ever since.
Recently, CoCoRaHS requested our annual Water Year Report. The water year runs from October 1 to September 30 every year. This year, my totals were 49.57 inches for total precipitation, and 21.0 inches for snowfall. Last year’s report was even higher: 57.77 inches of precipitation and 31.9 inches of snowfall.
That is a lot of precipitation for northwest Missouri. When I was in southeast Missouri, the average precipitation was a fraction short of 50 inches. Normally, northwest Missouri is the driest part of the state, so our precipitation here should be a lot less. Clearly, we have had a couple of wet years.
But some places are even wetter. Dr. Nolan Doesken, coordinator for the CoCoRaHS network, recently mentioned that several CoCoRaHS observers in Arkansas measured over 15 inches of rain in October, and some of northern Louisiana has received 2-month totals over 30 inches.
Some places in Missouri were close to that as well. Dr. Guinan reports that St. Louis had 12.38 inches, setting a new record after 137 years. Weather observers in Shannon and Oregon counties in southeast Missouri recorded more than 15 inches of rain during October.
If you would like to become a CoCoRaHS observer, we’re always looking for more participants. You only need the official CoCoRaHS rain gauge, an Internet connection to report your data, and the enthusiasm that comes from observing the weather. Just give me a call and I’ll tell you all about it.
If you desire further information on this or any other topic contact your local University Extension office. University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all. Thank you for your time. This has been Tim Baker, Horticulture Specialist for University of Missouri Extension, with today’s Extension Connection Program.
University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all
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