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After more than a year of drier than average conditions, a very wet spring has put central Oklahoma well above normal in terms of accumulated rainfall. Over the past 90 days, 8.1 inches (205.5 mm) of rain were recorded in Oklahoma City, 2.9 inches (73.2 mm) above normal for that period. Well above average rainfall was observed over much of western and central Oklahoma this spring; this is good news for farmers, as the recent rainfall has brought to an end the drought conditions that were observed in Oklahoma over much of 2006.
Drought is measured using the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), which uses a scale from < -4.0 corresponding to extreme drought to > + 4.0 corresponding to extremely moist conditions. As of one year ago, all of Oklahoma was listed between -2.0 to -2.9, that is, as being under moderate to severe drought. After the recent spring rains, central Oklahoma is currently listed between +3.0 and +3.9, or very moist, while west-central Oklahoma and the panhandle are listed > +4.0, or extremely moist.
The Oklahoma Climate Survey reports that the past 90 days are the third wettest on March-May period on record in the central Oklahoma climate region, and the second wettest ever in the west-central climate region, surpassed only by March-May of 1957.
As for rainfall in the coming months, the picture is less clear. The Climate Prediction Center's 3-month June-July-August rainfall outlook calls for equal chances of below normal, above normal, or normal precipitation over Oklahoma and all of the eastern United States.
Story is ©
Nate Snook, 2006
