CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 06/01/07

Extremely dry May sets records in Georgia

By David Emory Stooksbury
University of Georgia

Athens, Ga. –- An extremely dry May is setting low rainfall records across Georgia. May is traditionally one of the drier months, with rainfall normally averaging 3 to 4 inches across the state.

No rain was recorded in May in many places from near Macon to south of Albany. University of Georgia weather stations recording no rain in May in this area were Arabi, Camilla, Cordele, Jeffersonville and Newton.

With little to no rain in May, drought conditions in the lower Flint River Valley and middle Georgia have deteriorated very fast. Much of this region will be reclassified on Monday as being in extreme drought.

May rainfall set preliminary record lows at Camilla (0.00 inches), Cedartown (0.80), Macon (less than 0.01), Plains (0.00 tied 1962), Rome (0.22), Tifton (0.02) and Valdosta (0.20 tied 1920).

Total April and May rainfall set preliminary record lows at Alma (0.42 inches), Camilla (0.58 tied 1986), Cedartown (2.36), Plains (0.35), Rome (0.35), Tifton (0.02) and Valdosta (0.65).

More records

Rainfall totals for March through May set preliminary record lows at Alma (2.39 inches), Atlanta airport (5.07), Camilla (2.08), Macon (3.59), Plains (2.32), Rome (2.40), Tifton (1.90) and Valdosta (0.69).

Based on preliminary data, June 2006 through May 2007 rainfall set record lows for that period at Alma (29.82 inches) and Rome (31.97).

UGA weather stations with less than 0.25 inches of rain in May were Alapaha (0.16 inches), Alma (0.19), Arabi (0.00), Attapulgus (0.19), Byromville (0.13), Byron (0.03), Cairo (0.24), Calhoun (0.06), Camilla (0.00), Cordele (0.00), Dawson (0.01), Dixie (0.02), Eatonton (0.17), Fort Valley (0.17), Homerville (0.18), Jeffersonville (0.00), Moultrie (0.06), Newton (0.00), Plains (0.02), Sasser (0.13), Shellman (0.03), Tifton (0.01), Ty Ty (0.08), Unadilla (0.18), Vidalia (0.01) and Vienna (0.12).

Since the planting season started in full force April 1, several UGA weather stations have had less than 2 inches of rain. These are Alapaha (0.40 inches), Alma (0.20), Attapulgus (0.61), Brunswick (1.41), Cairo (1.00), Calhoun (1.23), Camilla (1.56), Dixie (0.48), Douglas (0.37), Eatonton, (1.11), Fort Valley (1.46), Griffin (1.88), Homerville (0.24), Moultrie (0.24), Nahunta (0.80), Rome (1.62), Savannah(1.29), Skidaway Island (1.87), Statesboro (1.77), Tifton (0.46), Ty Ty (1.02), Valdosta (1.15), Vidalia (0.71) and Woodbine (1.32).

Outdoor watering

The entire state remains under the level-2 outdoor water-use schedule. Outdoor watering is allowed from midnight to 10 a.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at odd-number street addresses and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at even-number addresses. It's banned all day on Fridays.

Several local water authorities have further restricted outdoor watering.

Get updated drought information at www.georgiadrought.org. The state drought Web site includes information on how to deal with the drought.

The University of Georgia automated weather stations may be accessed at www.georgiaweather.net. This UGA network has 71 automated weather stations statewide.

(David Emory Stooksbury is the state climatologist and a professor engineering and atmospheric sciences in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.