By Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte

September gave us a flashback to much of the 2018 weather pattern: hot and dry. To be precise it was the second hottest September on record and the sixth driest. While the dry weather was appreciated by farmers trying to get corn harvested and other field work done, it does start to raise concerns of what’s to follow.

The average daily high during September was 85.3, 5.1 degrees above normal. The average overnight low was 67.3, 11.3 degrees above normal. This gave us a monthly mean temperature of 76.3, 8.2 degrees above normal. This is second hottest September on record with only September of 1954 being hotter at 78.1 degrees. September was hotter than August, it should be about 9 degrees cooler than August. The average overnight low of 67.3 was the highest average overnight low temperature for September on record.

Rain was a relatively scarce commodity during September, at least in the immediate Junction City area. Average September rainfall is 3.28 inches. Milford Lake received 0.76 inches of rain and Junction City received 0.82 inches. The 0.76 inches at Milford Lake makes it the sixth driest September on record.

October often brings us several firsts for the season. The first frost will occur in October two years out of three. The first snowfall of the year can occur in October but only about one year out of ten. It will bring us cooler weather. Maybe not as cool as long term average but cooler than September, for sure! Average October highs start the month at 76 and by Halloween are down to 63. Overnight lows on the 1st should be 49 and by the 31st are down to 40. Our average first frost date is October 19th but has been as late as November 10th. Normal October rainfall is 2.62 inches and we can see a trace of snow during the month.