Weather is a favorite topic of conversation among most. This past year was a challenge for some, and timely rains made for better growing conditions in other areas. I thought it would be interesting to share some of our 2023 climate ups and downs.
According to NOAAs National Center for Environmental Information, when combining all South Dakota data since 1895, 2023 ranks as the 19th wettest year statewide with average total precipitation of 23.22 inches. This is 4.15 inches above the 100-year average, and 6.23 inches above last year; 2019 was recorded as the wettest year on record. It was also quite warm with an average temperature of 46.8F, ranking 16th warmest of 129 years on record. Comparing state-wide rankings to 2022, 2023 turns out to be warmer and wetter overall; however, a look at regional climate information gives us more details.
In 2022, the southwest region of SD experienced the 11th wettest year on record with 23.06 inches of total precipitation. This is the wettest year since 2019 and a plus 5.93 inch departure from normal. The region had an average temperature of 48.7F, ranking 17th warmest for the region since 1895, 2.3F above normal and an increase over the 2022 average of 47.7F. December was recorded as the warmest on record for the region, with an average temperature of 33.4F 9.7F above the 100-year average.
Central South Dakota experienced above average precipitation with 22.23 inches in 2023, the 20th wettest year on record, with the 100-year average for the region at 17.49 inches. The area experienced the 24th warmest year on record with an average temperature of 47.4F, warmer than 2022 that came in at 46F. The month of December was actually the warmest on record in the central region as well, with an average temperature of 31.6F, 11.7F above the 100-year normal average.
Northwest South Dakota experienced the 18th wettest year for the region coming in with 20.15 inches of precipitation, quite different from the 2022 total of 13.40. The average temperature was 46.5F, ranking the 13th warmest in 129 years and warmer than the 2022 average of 44.7F. Like both the central and southwest regions, December was recorded warmest on record, at 31.4F, 11.5F above average.
The northeast part of the state saw a total of 23.88 inches of precipitation, making it the 33rd wettest year in the dataset (above the 20.99, 129-year average for the area). The region experienced slightly above average temperatures; with an annual average temperature of 44.0F, 2023 ranked 19th warmest in the dataset. December alone, and the time period from April to December in the region were the warmest on record in this region with a +14.6F and +3.5F departure from normal, respectively.
The southeast region of South Dakota had the 49th wettest year on record with 25.12 inches of precipitation, 1.66 inches above normal and 7.38 inches more than recorded in the region in 2022. Annual temperature was the 17th warmest on record (since 1895) at 48.3F, 2.2F above the long-term average. This region reported December, August-December, and May-December as the warmest time periods on record with a plus 12.1F, plus 4.9F, and plus 3.9F departure from average, respectively.
Overall, we were wetter and warmer than last year across much of the state. I find climate summaries really interesting, but Im no expert.
For more climate info about your region check out https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/divisional/mapping or watch for reports and insights from our state climatologist, Laura Edwards at https://extension.sdstate.edu/agriculture/climate-and-weather.
Now that we have looked backwards for a while, lets look ahead. SDSU Extension has many programming options to offer this winter!
Upcoming Events and Announcements:
- Crop Hour Webinar Series agronomy-related educational webinars happening every Tuesday-Thursday from 10to 11 a.m. CST. Each week has a new topic and CCA credits are available. Registration is free at https://extension.sdstate.edu/crop-hour.
- We are at a variety of farm shows and events this winter- stop by the SDSU Extension booth at a farm show or partner event near you!
- 2024 South Dakota Pest Management Guides this years guides are now available online (https://extension.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-pest-management-guides) and in print. The guides provide information on current weed, insect, and disease management options in South Dakota. Printed copies should be available soon at your nearest regional center.
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