LOUISVILLE, Ky. — January brought below normal temperatures for most of the month along with both snow and rain. Extremely cold temperatures to start the month gave way to a short warm spell. As temperatures dropped again, a wintry mix turned to snow. A second winter storm in the third week of January brought 2-8 inches of snow across the state. The last week of January was met with milder temperatures and rainfall. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported a few small pockets of abnormally dry conditions on the Eastern border of the state throughout January. Precipitation for the month totaled 2.32 inches, 1.07 inches below normal. Precipitation amount by climate division, West 3.30 inches, Central 2.14 inches, Bluegrass 2.06 inches, and East 1.79 inches. Temperatures for the month averaged 31 degrees, 2 degrees below normal. The average high in the west was 39 degrees, with an average low of 24. The average high in the East was 42 degrees, with an average low of 22 degrees.
Continued frigid temperatures through most of January caused some tobacco farmers to struggle getting the crop in case for stripping. Despite the weather, the amount of tobacco stripped was 90%, compared to 79% last month, and 95% for January 2017. Winter wheat conditions were rated as 1% very poor, 2% poor, 43% fair, 50% good, and 4% excellent.
Due to the severe cold and snow covered pastures, farmers had to feed more stored hay than normal at this juncture. With that said, supplies across the state remain mostly adequate. Hay and roughage supplies reported as 2% very short, 9% short, 81% adequate, and 8% surplus. Livestock are generally holding up to the elements well with condition rated as 1% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 70% good, and 8% excellent.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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