2017-07-31

Author: Mary Knapp

How dry can it get? The western part of Kansas normally is much drier than the eastern part of the state. But, looking at state-wide averages, Kansas can get very dry indeed. In 1956 the statewide average was only 15.39 inches, just over half of the usual state average. But not surprisingly, there are some locations around the world that are even drier. Bagdad, in San Bernidino county California went from August 18 1909 through May 1912 without measurable precipitation, over 2 ½ year. And Arica, Chile went from October 1903 through December 1917 without measurable precipitation – nearly 14 years!

Dust in Western KS (WLD archives)

Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu