April outlook for the Plains

February was one of the coldest months in recent history for Kansas followed by a wet March (top 5 wettest in many areas - Goodland with the wettest on record). Just a quick summary of the precipitation for major reporting stations in Kansas shows that much of the area ends the month above average. 

April stats look like this:

Days of course are getting longer and we will gain more than an hour of daylight between the beginning and end of the month. April is not usually our wettest month, but the expected rainfall does goes up.

April starts WARM!

Afternoon temperatures from Easter weekend through the first full week of the month are going to be well above average. Highs would normally be in the 60s, but I think we will see plenty of 70s and 80s in the first 8-10 days. 

Rainfall: The month also starts dry. I wouldn't expect any rain (or significant moisture) in the first 7 or 8 days.

Mid-April looks much more active:

A good portion of our monthly rain may come toward the middle of the month. The pattern looks like it will favor stormy weather across the western two-thirds of the country, so we may be looking at an increasing severe threat (and better chances for spring rains). The map shown above would suggest for the period of April 9-14, the Plains would get about 100-150% of normal rain (which would equal about an inch or so)

Another chilly snap is coming!

I'm anticipating another big drop in temperatures into mid-April. Remember the bitter cold snap in mid-February that set record lows? This may be the April version of that returning to the Plains, so it won't be as brutal, but be careful in starting the spring garden (especially with sensitive plants or annuals). Our last spring frost (normally) would happen in the first 10-15 days of the month, so it wouldn't be that unusual to have a night or two with lows in the 20s. Be on the lookout.

More rain later in the month:

 

This doesn't have the indications of blockbuster rain, but I would expect more nice rains potentially setting up late in the month. This may help to keep temperatures below normal too. 

I think the strongest potential of severe storms will come as we make the switch from warm (beginning of the month) to the cooler weather into mid-April. I'm looking at the period of April 9-16 to have an increasing threat, but to what magnitude is still up in the air.

Have a great day.