APRIL 2014 CLIMATE SUMMARY
The month opened up as the wettest open to a April in 57 years when 3.33" of rain fell during the 1st week. In 1957, the 1st weeks total precipitation was 4.23". Additional rainfall was recorded on the 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, & 15th. 10 out of the 1st 15 days of the month saw measurable precipitation. We saw warmer temperatures for the period of the 9th-13th with temperatures not only 60+ but 70+ as well. Indianapolis saw the 1st 70° day of the year on April 10th of 74°. On the 14th, there was a substantial drop in temperatures as much cooler air arrived. This put an end to a streak of above freezing temps of 15 consecutive days (March 30th-April 13th). The high above 70° the beginning of the day fell to below freezing at the end of the day. There was also rain around that made a transition to some snow. Light Snow fell on the night of 14th lingering around on the 15th. 0.3" of total snowfall fell. Some areas in the state saw an inch or more. This was the latest measurable snowfall in the year for a Spring season in 13 years when 0.2" of snow fell on April 16th, 2001. The 0.3" of total snow we received for the month was the most snow for a April since 1994 (0.8"). This was the 15th April out of the past 50 years measurable snowfall was recorded. Additionally, 0.2" on the 15th was the 4th time since 1975 we've seen measurable snow on or after April 15th for the Spring season.
In response to the cold blast, the high temperature failed to reach 40° on the 15th. The high temperature of 38° set a record for lowest high temperature for the date. The previous record of 40° was set 86 years ago in 1928. The cold weather didn't last long, we reached 50 on the 16th, 60s on the 17th, and then back to the 70s on the 18th. Additional 70° days was recorded on the 20th, 21st,and 26th-29th. Which brought the year's total tally to 11 days. The average month's high temperature was 64.1° and the average month's low temperature was 41.9° which made the average month's temperature 53°. This was normal for the month of April.
Only 1 out of 8 days from the period of April 16th-23th saw measurable rain totaling 0.01". This rather dry period ended for the last 7 days of the month. 6 out of the last 7 days saw a trace or more of rain totaling 1.29" bringing the final month's total to 5.39". This was 1.58" above the normal April precipitation amount of 3.81". The month saw 18 wet days (trace or more) & 12 dry days. There was no precipitation records broken but the wettest day was on April 3rd when 1.70" of rain fell. The month was ranked as the 26th Wettest April.
For more information on April's Climate Summary Click HERE to be redirected to the US NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS, IN write up.
WET APRIL FOR MOST OF INDIANA BUT SOME AREAS ARE GETTING IN THE RED FOR THE YEAR
A stubborn slow moving upper level low pressure system has been responsible for multiple days with either a trace or measurable rain all of this week across the state. How do things measure up in your backyard? Here's my updated rainfall table.
| LOCATION | YEAR TO DATE PRECIP (thru May 2) |
DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL |
PRECIP SINCE MAR 1st |
DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL |
PRECIP SINCE APR 1st |
DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL |
| BLOOMINGTON | 14.21 | -0.78 | 9.56 | +0.64 | 7.62 | +2.58 |
| EVANSVILLE | 17.77 | +2.56 | 13.82 | +4.88 | 10.97 | +6.27 |
| FT. WAYNE | 11.97 | +1.22 | 5.89 | -0.56 | 3.99 | +0.25 |
| INDIANAPOLIS | 12.56 | -0.10 | 7.77 | +0.09 | 5.39 | +1.27 |
| INDIANAPOLIS EAGLE CREEK |
12.04 | +0.07 | 7.66 | +0.03 | 6.68 | +2.35 |
| LAFAYETTE | 9.04 | -1.04 | 5.70 | -0.76" | 4.20 | +0.41 |
| MUNCIE | 10.63 | -0.77 | 7.67 | +0.81 | 6.14 | +2.23 |
| SHELBYVILLE | 11.34 | -1.54 | 7.46 | -0.67 | 5.40 | +0.70 |
| SOUTH BEND | 10.12 | 0.00 | 4.18 | -1.70 | 2.44 | -1.02 |
| TERRE HAUTE | 12.06 | -0.20 | 8.03 | +0.06 | 6.28 | +1.68 |
COOL AIR TO EASE, WARMEST AIR OF THE YEAR TO COME
To open May, we saw cool temperatures on Thursday and Friday with a high temperature of 54 and 52 respectively. This is 11° below normal. We've seen cooler though. In fact, the record for lowest high temperature for May 1st and May 2nd is 40° set back in 1897. This is still very rare cool air. Its actually the 1st time in 105 years that May 1st and May 2nd saw a high temperature of 54° or colder, back to back. Its the 4th time on record. Its also the coolest open to a May in 9 years when the high temperature reached 51° on May 1, 1995. These low to mid 50 degree temperature readings are more typical for mid March!
As the pesky upper low continues to shift East we'll get back into more warmer, near seasonal weather in the days ahead. We should normally see temperature near 70 for this time of the year with lows near 50. A cold front will sit with us on Sunday. There will be a small chance for some light rain but some may not see a drop. Depending on the exact location of the front those North of it will be cool and those south of it will be warm so its possible we may see a 20° temperature spread or so over the state with 50s likely in Northern Indiana, 60s in Central Indiana, and 70s in Southern Indiana. There also another small rain chance for Monday into Tuesday but again, most may not see a drop.
As the jet stream flattens out this weekend, will then begin to some ridging setting up next week and this means warmer temperatures. This warm air air coming may bring our 1st 80 of the year. The last time we saw an 80° day was back on October 4th. The average date for the 1st 80 is April 21st. The earliest first 80 happened on March 8, 1974. The latest 1st 80 happened on June 5, 1983. The last time we saw our 1st 80 this late in the season was 18 years ago on May 9, 1996. From a climatological standpoint, the average high is 80+ from June 7th-September 11th.
MAY OUTLOOK
The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting Above Normal Precipitation for Indiana for the month of May with an Equal Chance of Above, Below, or Near Normal Temperatures.
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