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“This year the weather has made
farmers deviate from their normal schedules and that’s created some problems
in crop quantity and quality.”
Tom Priddy
UK College of Agriculture Meteorologist
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By Aimee D. Heald
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2003) – Unseasonable, record-setting weather has been
the norm for Kentucky in 2003. September was no different as it ranked fourth
wettest in 109 years.
University of Kentucky Agricultural Meteorologist Tom Priddy said rainfall in
the state averaged 6.22 inches in September, which is 2.62 inches above normal.
“September was very wet in itself, but the period from April to September is the
second wettest in 109 years with nearly 35 inches of rain,” he said. “On the
temperature side, September was the 22nd coolest.”
Below normal temperatures continued into October with an average of 54 degrees
through Oct. 6, which is 9 degrees below normal. A cold snap with an early fall
frost in many parts of Kentucky created problems for the state’s burley growers
as they tried to get a late-harvested crop into the barns to cure.
UK Extension Tobacco Specialist Bob Pearce said the cold snap likely will cause
some leaves to cure an undesirable greenish color, even though temperatures are
warmer now.
“We’re used to being able to plant and harvest at certain times of the year in
Kentucky,” Priddy said. “This year the weather has made farmers deviate from
their normal schedules and that’s created some problems in crop quantity and
quality.”
Priddy’s long-range outlook calls for near-normal conditions across Kentucky.
Writer: Aimee
D. Heald 859-257-4736, ext. 267
Source: Tom
Priddy 859-257-3000, ext. 245
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