Weather of the Prairies Sarah Marsden

Weather Patterns Over the course of a year, the temperature is typically around -3°F to 73°F and is near never below -28°F or above 83°F. The warm season lasts from May 17 to September 14 with an average temperature of above 62°F. The hottest day of the year is usually July 29, with an average temperature of about 73°F and low of 51°F. The cold season lasts from November 21 to March 1 with an average temperature of below 26°F. The coldest day of the year is usually January 8, with an average of a temperature -3°F and high of 14 degrees. That is the weather pattern of the parries.

Sunshine and daylight totals The shortest day of the year is December 21 with 7 hours and 8 minutes of daylight; the longest day is June 20 with 17 hours and 26 minutes of daylight. The earliest sunrise is at 5:14am on June 18 and the latest sunset is at 10:41pm on June 23. The latest sunrise is at 9:22am on January 1 and the earliest sunset is at 4:25pm on December 10. Daylight saving time is observed in this location almost every year, starting in the spring on March 11 and ending in the fall on November 4.

Precipitation The probability that precipitation will be observed at this location depends on the season. Precipitation is most likely around July 5, occurring in 57% of days. Precipitation is least likely around April 13, only occurring in 41% of days. Over the entire year, the most common forms of precipitation is light snow, light rain, and thunderstorms. Light snow is the most cold of all of the precipitation and is observed only 37% of the days with precipitation. It is most likely around February 6, when it is observed only 39% of all of the days. Light rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 34% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around September 5, when it is observed during 32% of all days. Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed only during 11% of the days with precipitation. They are most likely around July 9( my birthday), when it is only observed during 21% of all days because of how severe they can be. During the warm season, which lasts from May 17 to September 14, there is a 54% chance that precipitation will be observed at some point during a day. When precipitation does occur it is most often in the form of light rain (53% of days with precipitation have the worst of the light rain), thunderstorms (27%), and regular rain (16%). During the cold season, which lasts from November 21 to March 1, there is a 52% chance that precipitation will be observed at some point during a day. When precipitation does occur it is most likely in the form of light snow (71% of days with precipitation have the worst of light snow), regular snow (16%), and a light rain (8%).

Humidity and wind velocity The relative humidity typically ranges from 32% (comfortable) to 91% (not comfortable)over the course of the year, rarely dropping below 19% (not comfortable) and reaching as high as 100% (to humid for me). The air is driest around May 5, at which time the humidity drops below 38% (comfortable) three days out of four; it is the most humid around September 8, being over 87% three days out of four. Over the course of the year typical wind speeds vary from 0 mph to 17 mph (a calm breeze), rarely ever above 27 mph (strong breeze). The highest wind speed of 9 mph (a nice breeze), this occurs around May 11, at which time the daily maximum wind speed is 17 mph (moderate breeze). The lowest average wind speed of 5 mph ( a light breeze) this occurs around January 7, at which time the daily maximum wind speed is 11 mph (gentle breeze). This was the wind and the humidity.

How the weather affects the agriculture More than 70% of the More than 70% of the prairieland is used for agriculture. The region's economy is heavily dependent on crops, including corn, wheat, barley, hay, and cotton. If extreme heat events become more frequent and temperatures continue to increase, the suitability of the prarie region for growing particular crops may change. Additionally, livestock are likely to face increased risk from heat stress and disease. The threats to the agriculture include the following: A spread of pests that could not survive the cooler northern climate. Potential increases in weed species due to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, high temperatures, and changes in precipitation Decreases in soil moisture and water availability land area is used for agrculture. The region's economy is historically heavily dependent on crops, including corn, wheat, barley, hay, and cotton. If extreme heat events and droughts become more frequent and temperatures continue to increase, the suitability of the Great Plains region for growing particular crops may change. Additionally, livestock are likely to face increased risk from heat stress and disease. The threats to regional agriculture include the following: Northward spread of pests that previously could not survive the cooler northern climate (due to warmer winters and earlier springs) Potential increases in weed species due to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, high temperatures, and changes in precipitation Decreases in soil moisture and water availability