GRAVETTE -- Moisture-wise, comparing the first quarter of last year with 2015 is like comparing apples with oranges.
Last year, through the month of April, northwest Benton County showed a 4.29 inch deficit of moisture. This year the deficit shrunk to 1.32 inches, according to readings at the NOAA weather station in Gravette. Rainfall at the Gravette station through April totaled 11.57 inches compared with the 7.28 inches during the same period last year. April this year saw 3.09 inches recorded, compared with the stingy 1.75 inches in 2014.
Rainfall this year was scattered throughout the month, with moisture recorded on 15 of the month's 30 days. On seven of those days the amount recorded ranged from .01 to .09 inches.
Some areas of Benton County, including some rural Gravette areas, reported greater amounts of rainfall. Some minor flooding was reported in parts of eastern Benton County.
Ponds that are full, or are filling, show the results of this year's moisture, as do the green fields and up-and-growing gardens and lawns.
A total of 33.31 additional inches of moisture will be needed through December to match the 44.88 inch annual average. Last year Gravette recorded a stingy 37.79 inches for the entire 12 month period.
Readings at the Gravette station are taken at 6 p.m. each day for the preceding 24-hour period.
General News on 05/06/2015