Weatherwatch

Statewide temperatures for June 1997 averaged 1.92 degrees Fahrenheit below the long-term average -- still within the range of normal variability.

Precipitation totals for June totaled 0.56 inches below normal when averaged statewide, at 3.44 inches.

July

July 1997 temperatures averaged across the state were about 0.77 degrees Fahrenheit above normal -- well within the normally expected range.

July 1997 statewide total precipitation averaged just below the long-term mean at 4.39 inches.

August

The statewide temperature average for August 1997 was a little below normal by about 0.80 degrees Fahrenheit.

August 1997 precipitation averaged only 2.15 inches, well below the long-term average of 4.33 inches.

1997, THROUGH MAY: Temperature departure +1.17 degrees Fahrenheit, Precipitation 24.29 inches (81% of normal).

Late Moisture Indices

Palmer Drought Severity Index values for the week ending November 29, 1997 indicated that deep soil moisture conditions looked good throughout most of the state, with the exception of the Southwestern Mountain, which registered fairly dry.

Crop Moisture Index values for the same period indicated that near-surface soil moisture conditions across the state were near normal overall.

Weatherwatch maps are based upon a variety of different data sources. Preliminary reports from the dense network of the National Climatic Data Center are used for the first two months, while a much reduced set is used for the third month, consisting of selected National Weather Service stations, a few Climatic Data Center Observers, and (for precipitation only) some volunteer data where important anomalies are suspected.

Please contact this Office before using these results for legal or economic purposes.