Sparse Rainfall Makes For
Dry, Dry 2011

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

The totals are in and as most of us knew, the year 2011 was one of the driest "on record." However, the 26.27 inches of rain that was received in 2011, wasn't quite as dry as the 25 inches that we received in 2005. "But, the thing that made 2011 worse was that it was already dry when we started the year," denoted one local weather observer. "Last fall was drier than normal and that made the year 2011 that much worse."

And, Hopkins County received 5.86 inches of the total yearly rainfall, during the month of December, making the remainder of the year, extremely dry. "And, the hot, hot temperatures through the summer, added to the misery and the lack of rainfall for pastures and hay meadows," continued one local farmer. "It was just an all-around failure for farmers and ranchers in the area!"

 

 

 

Typically, Hopkins County receives about 47 inches of rainfall in an average year, and generally about three inches of that is during the month of January. Local farmers and ranchers, as well as those that manage our general water supply are watching the skies, hoping that 2012 will be a much "wetter" year, and offer some relief from the drought conditions.

 

 

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