2011-05 Mesonet connection 1 |
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Volume 2 — Issue 4 — May 2011 co n n e c t io n www.mesonet.org DROUGHT DEVELOPS SLOWLY and even once rains return, its impact continues. The impact of a drought builds as day after day of no rain continues. But even once the rain starts, a drought can continue to bring crop, pasture and livestock losses. Droughts are long-term weather patterns. When did Oklahoma’s drought of 2010 and 2011 begin? Gary McManus, Oklahoma Associate State Climatologist, began talking about warmer, dryer conditions as a winter possibility back in May 2010. This was when the first indications of a developing La Niña pattern came together. A La Niña did develop! One with a strong classic pattern of above average temperatures and below average rainfall in the Southwest and South Central states. Rain fell in the Northwest, North Central and North Eastern US states, leaving Oklahoma and other states in the southwest region warm and dry. The drought has been devastating to Oklahoma’s wheat crop. As it dragged on, alfalfa took it on the chin with little growth and aphids that couldn’t be controlled with typically effective plant protection products. Now large patches of alfalfa are dying. With no rain, pastures failed to grow enough for grazing. Grass hay fields won’t produce a first cutting. Pasture grasses produced green blades, but they can’t grow without water. Wheat – disaster. Alfalfa – disaster. Pasture grass – disaster. Next to be impacted by our drought, cattle water ponds are drying up. Cattle ranchers are facing a summer with no water and rapidly disappearing feed for their animals. For those areas in Oklahoma where the drought continues its destructive march, summer crops will be affected. There may not be enough moisture in the soil to plant cotton, sorghum, soybeans, or corn as dryland crops. Dry times are common in Oklahoma, even in a year of normal rainfall. When the dryness becomes severe and stretches out, like 2010-2011 winter and spring, one Oklahoma crop after another goes from profit to loss. From profitable yield, to financial disaster. While the eastern part of Oklahoma has received some welcome rain, areas in western and central Oklahoma continue to wait for the dry pattern to break, for the end to an already severe drought. Drought DISASTERS
Object Description
Okla State Agency |
Climatological Survey, Oklahoma |
Okla Agency Code | 'CLI' |
Title | Mesonet connection, 05/2011, v.2 no.4 |
Authors |
Oklahoma Climatological Survey. |
Publication Date | 2011-05 |
Publication type |
Newsletter |
Purpose | Drought Disasters Drought develops slowly and even once rains return, its impact continues. The impact of a drought builds as day after day of no rain continues. But even once the rain starts, a drought can continue to bring crop, pasture and livestock losses. |
For all issues click | C2800.6 M582c |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Downloaded from Agency website: http://www.mesonet.org/mesonet_connection/v2i42.pdf |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma State Government Publication is provided for educational purposes under US copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Month/year uploaded | March 2012 |
Date created | 2014-12-21 |
Date modified | 2014-12-21 |
OCLC number | 890217945 |
Description
Title | 2011-05 Mesonet connection 1 |
Full text | Volume 2 — Issue 4 — May 2011 co n n e c t io n www.mesonet.org DROUGHT DEVELOPS SLOWLY and even once rains return, its impact continues. The impact of a drought builds as day after day of no rain continues. But even once the rain starts, a drought can continue to bring crop, pasture and livestock losses. Droughts are long-term weather patterns. When did Oklahoma’s drought of 2010 and 2011 begin? Gary McManus, Oklahoma Associate State Climatologist, began talking about warmer, dryer conditions as a winter possibility back in May 2010. This was when the first indications of a developing La Niña pattern came together. A La Niña did develop! One with a strong classic pattern of above average temperatures and below average rainfall in the Southwest and South Central states. Rain fell in the Northwest, North Central and North Eastern US states, leaving Oklahoma and other states in the southwest region warm and dry. The drought has been devastating to Oklahoma’s wheat crop. As it dragged on, alfalfa took it on the chin with little growth and aphids that couldn’t be controlled with typically effective plant protection products. Now large patches of alfalfa are dying. With no rain, pastures failed to grow enough for grazing. Grass hay fields won’t produce a first cutting. Pasture grasses produced green blades, but they can’t grow without water. Wheat – disaster. Alfalfa – disaster. Pasture grass – disaster. Next to be impacted by our drought, cattle water ponds are drying up. Cattle ranchers are facing a summer with no water and rapidly disappearing feed for their animals. For those areas in Oklahoma where the drought continues its destructive march, summer crops will be affected. There may not be enough moisture in the soil to plant cotton, sorghum, soybeans, or corn as dryland crops. Dry times are common in Oklahoma, even in a year of normal rainfall. When the dryness becomes severe and stretches out, like 2010-2011 winter and spring, one Oklahoma crop after another goes from profit to loss. From profitable yield, to financial disaster. While the eastern part of Oklahoma has received some welcome rain, areas in western and central Oklahoma continue to wait for the dry pattern to break, for the end to an already severe drought. Drought DISASTERS |
Date created | 2012-03-26 |
Date modified | 2012-03-26 |