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. . . Ticker for October 11, 2012 . . .
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... October 11, 2012 October 11, 2012 October 11, 2012 October 11, 2012 Drought Monitor time! How are the lakes doing? Here is this morning's regular Thursday release of the U.S. Drought Monitor map. The numbers are holding pretty steady, although we did see a bit of an increase of exceptional drought over into northeast Oklahoma, and a bit more in the Panhandle. So we're still at 100% of the state in severe-exceptional drought, 81% in extreme-exceptional, and up to 31% in exceptional. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/ok_dm.png As we looked more and more at the deficits up there in Osage County and down into Payne, Creek and Tulsa counties, it wasn't a difficult decision to bump the D4 over, especially given the soil moisture deficits at 10- and 24-inches. Mesonet Soil Moisture http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/10inch-soilmoisture.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/24inc-soilmoisture.png 30-day Mesonet Rainfall http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/last30daystot.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/last30dayspct.png 60-day Mesonet Rainfall http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/last60daystot.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/last60dayspct.png May 1-Oct. 11 Mesonet Rainfall http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/may1-oct11-tot.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/may1-oct11-pct.png And we think the soil moisture has recovered pretty well in some areas (yeah, we're talking about you, Cimarron County), and then we get pictures like this: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/100_0255.jpg http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/100_0260.jpg One of our major concerns right now would be our reservoir levels. We detailed these last week and we had hoped that the rains would have provided just a tad more runoff, but the numbers did not improve. I've thrown the early May elevations in there as well so you can see where we were before the dry-down began in earnest (poor Earnest!). http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/Oct11-lakelevels.png While those levels are pretty gloomy as we head into our driest time of the year, it could be a lot worse ... we could be heading into summer! So yes, it is our driest time of our year, but it's also the time with the least amount of water stress. Evaporation is way way wayyyyyyy down (it's cool, not as much sunlight), vegetation isn't gobbling it up like during the growing season (winter wheat still needs its fair share), and we're not using it to fill swimming pools or water lawns (fescue still needs its fair share). Luckily, we have more chances to fill those lakes. There's quite a fuss being raised about this next storm system approaching the state, and it's really lighting up the HPC 5-day forecast. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/5day-rain.gif That local maximum up in northeastern Oklahoma is just what the doctor ordered up there (remember the previous Mesonet rainfall maps!), but the entire state needs that type of rain and then some. Luckily we're going to remain in a springtime pattern and keep the temperatures up. That's a vital part of getting a small rebound in our vegetation and pastures before the REAL end to the growing season arrives. That freezing weather last week didn't do anybody many favors in the regard. Unfortunately, this spring-like weather might come with some spring-like weather, if you know what I mean. Take a clue from your favorite local NWS office and stay weather aware tonight (and tomorrow). http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/nws-amarillo.jpg http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/nws-norman-1.jpg http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/nws-norman-2.jpg http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20121011/nws-tulsa.png Just try to remember how badly we need the rain as Mother Nature beats you upside your favorite head with noggin-size hail. Gary McManus Associate State Climatologist Oklahoma Climatological Survey (405) 325-2253 gmcmanus@mesonet.org ================================================== The OCS/Mesonet Ticker https://ticker.mesonet.org/ To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Ticker or for questions about the Ticker or its content Phone or Email the Ticker Manager at OCS Phone: 405-325-2253 Email: ticker@mesonet.org --------------------------------------------------- -C- Copyright 2024 Oklahoma Climatological Survey ===================================================