Turkey Day dampens drought

A soggy Thanksgiving followed by the first snowfall of the season brought much-needed moisture to the Hardin County area last week.
The precipitation alleviated some concerns about the drought, said Ryan Sharp, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “We’re still below normal, but it definitely helped.”
While some Black Friday shoppers had to brush snow off their cars before venturing out, a state police dispatcher said no snow-related wrecks were reported to the local post.
Snowfall for the county measured from a half-inch or less in the northern part of the county to up to an inch elsewhere, according to the NWS. The snow fell from around midnight to 1 a.m. Friday as a cold front pushed through, Sharp said.
The Mesonet weather station in Cecilia recorded 2.62 inches of rain from Tuesday through Friday — with 1.3 inches falling Thursday.
Louisville received 2.19 inches Thursday, making it the wettest Thanksgiving on record. The city is about 5 inches below normal in precipitation for the year.
More rain and possibly snow is expected early this week, according to the NWS. Up to two inches of rain are possible Monday night.
The drought, which forecasters expect will improve through February, has taken a toll on local crops and contributed to wildfires.
Rineyville cattleman Chuck Crutcher said recent rains will help fill ponds for livestock and replenish some ground water. But it’s too late in the year to improve pastures, because they already have gone dormant.
Crutcher said it’s hard to tell if hay will be scarce this winter. While a lot of producers fed hay to livestock early this year, the spring harvest was good.
John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746 or jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com.

Jeff D'Alessio

Shaw Creek off Johnstown Road had a strong flow to it Friday morning from Thursday's heavy rains and Friday's snowfall.

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Jeff D'Alessio

Cows mingle off Thomas Road with snow all around them Friday.

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Jeff D'Alessio

Motorists woke up Friday to a coat of snow on their vehicles. The Hardin County area received about an inch of snow as Thursday's rain turned to snow as temperatures dipped.

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