With a dry August and warmer-than-normal temperatures heading into the fall, National Weather Service officials said increased fire hazards are possible in the Commonwealth. Officials reported last month eastern Kentucky received just under three inches of rain, which is lower than the average of around 4.5 inches. Hal Klingenberg, a meteorologist with NWS Jackson said 90-degree days and little rain are possible for the region. Klingenberg said over the last few weeks they have recorded some warm days, as well as a few nighttime record-low temperatures. He added October 2019 saw a record-high day in the mid-90s, so it’s not unheard of to be extremely hot as the leaves fall.
Klingenberg said the combination of high temperatures and low rainfall can make for a dangerous mixture when fall fire season starts.
“When we’re dry going into the fall that’s something we start thinking about here. Is it going to be a bad year? We hope not but in the back of your mind, you start thinking. Is it going to be a bad year, considering it is dry going into the fall season? If things don’t change, there’s certainly that potential,” Klingenberg said.
He added precipitation is likely to remain scarce moving forward, but the temperature will be another issue.
“The outlook for our area really doesn’t show any good indications of being wetter or drier than normal. Although in terms of temperature for the period of September through November, if you’re a betting person, you probably want to bet on it being warmer than normal,” said Klingenberg.
He said the best chance for serious precipitation over the next week comes with the remnants of Hurricane Francine, which is slated to roll through the western part of the state. Klingenberg added that otherwise, into next month the prediction is for around average rainfall, but with higher than typical temperatures. The first day of fall is September 22.