May 2004 Likely To Be State's Driest
June 1, 2004
 May 2004 Likely To Be State Driest.pdf
 May 2004 Likely To Be State Driest.doc
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May 2004 Likely To Be State's Driest
By Derek Arndt
Assistant State Climatologist
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey
6/1/2004
May 2004 will probably go down as the state's driest May since modern record-keeping
began in 1895. Preliminary data from the Oklahoma Mesonet show a statewide
average of 1.08 inches of rain fell last month, which would break the previous
low-precipitation mark of 1.30 inches, set in 1988.
Each of Oklahoma's nine climate divisions observed less than half of its normal
May precipitation. These values ranged from 4% in the panhandle to 45%
in the northeast. Only the central climate division set a new record
for May, with 0.88 inches of precipitation (previous record: 0.96", also
1988). However, the statewide average for the month was comfortably below the
previous mark because May 2004 was among the five driest Mays in history for
seven of Oklahoma’s nine climate divisions.
Climatologically, May is the calendar's wettest month for the vast majority
of Oklahoma. This makes May departures more significant than, say, January
for most interests in Oklahoma.
For related statistics and maps, see below:
May 2004 Mesonet Rainfall Statistics | Climate Division | Total Rainfall | Departure / Pct Normal | Rank since 1895 (110 periods) | Driest since | Driest on Record | May 2004 SPI | Panhandle | 0.14" | -3.23" / 4% | 3rd Driest | 1927 (0.00") | 0.00" (1927) | -3.37 | N. Central | 0.67" | -4.05" / 14% | 3rd Driest | 1970 (0.58") | 0.25" (1924) | -2.17 | Northeast | 2.46" | -3.02" / 45% | 16th Driest | 1996 (2.38") | 1.38" (1917) | -1.27 | W. Central | 0.36" | -4.54" / 7% | 4th Driest | 1927 (0.00") | 0.00" (1924,27) | -2.52 | Central | 0.88" | -4.75" / 16% | Driest | -- | 0.96" (1988) | -2.39 | E. Central | 1.52" | -4.37" / 26% | 3rd Driest | 1941 (1.25") | 1.50" (1932) | -1.98 | Southwest | 0.42" | -4.55" / 8% | 2nd Driest | 1984 (0.38") | 0.38" (1984) | -2.53 | S. Central | 1.06" | -4.54" / 19% | 4th Driest | 1998 (0.94") | 0.46" (1988) | -2.10 | Southeast | 2.20" | -4.16" / 35% | 7th Driest | 1988 (1.55") | 1.24" (1963) | -1.64 | Statewide | 1.08" | -4.13" / 21% | Driest | -- | 1.30" (1988) | -2.53 |
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Media Contact:
Cerry Leffle
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
100 E. Boyd, Suite 1210
Norman, OK 73019-1012
405-325-254
405-325-2550 (fax)
cerry@ou.edu
For Additional Information:
Derek Arndt
Assisstant State Climatologist
100 E. Boyd, Suite 1210
Norman, OK 73019-1012
405-325-2541
405-325-2550 (fax)
darndt@ou.edu
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