University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center Serving Kentucky residents

On the World Wide Web at: http://weather.uky.edu/

Mouseover to pause!......Kentucky Short-term forecast... Western KY .TODAY...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Central KY .TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Eastern KY .THIS AFTERNOON...Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Light winds. ...The mission of the UK Agricultural Weather Program/Center is to provide educational resources through the development of agricultural weather products and services that minimize weather surprise to Kentucky residents relative to their agricultural needs... Detailed forecast information is available in your Precision Ag Weather forecast here... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Long-range outlooks here. Kentucky Agricultural Situation Report (AgSitRep): Kentucky Crop and Weather Report Issued 4:00 P.M., April 16, 2018 07-18 Agricultural News: Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and precipitation over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.40 inches, 0.38 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 56 degrees for the week, 1 degree above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 50 percent adequate and 50 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 55 percent adequate and 45 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 3.6 out of a possible seven. High pressure kept the area dry through the workweek, but with a large swing in temperatures. With the center of the high situated east of the state on Monday and Tuesday, northerly flow kept temperatures well below normal. Lows dropped into the upper 20s to middle 30s on Tuesday night, prompting Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories to be issued. As the high moved east of Kentucky on Wednesday, breezy southwest flow led to an abrupt warm up across the area, eventually hitting the upper 70s to low 80s on Friday. While it did get warm, a combination of high winds, low humidity, and dry fuels did lead to some fire weather concerns. Kentucky soils did get a chance to dry out through Friday, but rounds of rainfall returned over the weekend. A light and steady rainfall led to a soaking 1 to 2+ inches for most of Kentucky. Overall, the state averaged 1.40 inches, which led to a fourth straight week of above normal rainfall. Primary activities for this week included seeding of tobacco transplants, corn planting, and fertilizer application when weather permitted. There were a few days conducive to field work, however cold temperatures and rain returned for the weekend. Corn planting continues to lag behind 2016 and 2017 at this juncture of the season. Seventy-two percent of tobacco transplants were under 4 inches, with 24 percent 2-4 inches, and 4 percent above 4 inches. The majority of winter wheat and alfalfa were not subjected to freeze damage. Winter wheat freeze damage was reported as 2 percent moderate, 20 percent light, and 78 percent experiencing none. The average height of winter wheat was 13 inches. Alfalfa freeze damage was reported as 1 percent severe, 12 percent moderate, 33 percent light, and 54 percent experiencing none. The average height of alfalfa was 7 inches. The return of rain and cold temperatures is taking a toll on pastures and some producers reported a shortage of hay. 2012-13 Archive, Kentucky Climate Update. This week in Kentucky's growing season 30-Day Percent of Normal Rainfall Map:(Updated daily - Based on PM Obs.) Summary of Kentucky Mesonet & NWS Weather Stations for various time periods for entire state:(Updated daily - Based on PM Obs.) Climate Summaries By Climate Disision: West, Central, Bluegrass, East, All Ag Weather Center, Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky