GRAVETTE — May 2012 was well on the way to setting a new record for lack of precipitation. The last three days of the month spoiled a record when 1.18 inches of rain was recorded at the NOAA weather station in Gravette, bringing the total for the month to 2.16 inches.

If it had not rained the last three days of May, a new record would have been set, only .98 total for the month, .89 inch on the first day of the month and .09 on May 7.

The contrast between years can be impressive. Consider May during the last two years. A total of 10.01 inches of rain fell in May, 2011, and 10.06 the previous year.

A check of records reveals there have been wet months of May. In 1943 a total of 16.48inches of rain was recorded, 14.02 in 1961, 12.65 in 1957 and 12.16 in 1950.

There have been equally dry years, the driest occurring in 1941 when only 1.42 inches fell, 1.44 in 1994, 1.51 in 1972and 1.93 in 1964. Compare this with 2.16 this year.

A 28-day lapse of moisture this May stifled the early hay crop, blistered lawns and resulted in irrigating on garden plots.

This June is off to a good start precipitation-wise, with 1.5 inches recorded during the first four days of the month.

Yearly Deficits

The first five months of the year showed below average moisture totals during January, February, April and May. Only March exceeded the average, with 8.9 inches recorded. Total for the first five months this year is 14.08 inches, compared with the average of 18.66, a 4.58 deficit.

A lack of snowfall during the winter accounted for much of the deficit, with only 2.2 inches during February, a skiff in January and none in March, the month which often records the area’s deepest snows.

Warm temperatures have also been a contributing factor, with a “balmy” 9 degrees being the coldest temperature during the entire winter just ended. That reading occurred on Feb.12. There were only three below-freezing temperature days during January, twoduring March and none in April or May.

Farmers are looking forward to good rainfall during June to help pastures recover and to fill ponds. Backyard gardeners are hoping they can put their hoses away. And grass cutters can expect to sharpen mower blades.

Note: Information for this article comes from records kept by local NOAA weather observers since 1930.

News, Pages 1 on 06/06/2012