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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408017
Research Project: Adapting Agricultural Production Systems and Soil and Water Conservation Practices to Climate Change and Variability in Southern Great Plains

Location: Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit

Title: Precipitation and temperature maxima: a study across the southern great plains winter wheat region

Author
item Flanagan, Paul

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Given the importance of agriculture to the Southern Great Plains (SGP), accurate knowledge of growing season temperatures and precipitation is critical. Previous research into growing season precipitation and temperature maxima revealed a distinct feature of the GP climate, the asynchronous difference index (ADI) and positive and negative ADI periods. The goal of this research is to further investigate the ADI within a specific agricultural region of the SGP, the winter wheat region, and to quantify the temporal evolution of temperature and precipitation during positive and negative ADI growing seasons. For this, Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) daily station data were analyzed across the growing season (March to September) from 1900 to 2020. Results show that differences appear in the temperature and precipitation fields when comparing positive and negative growing seasons. Namely, positive ADI growing seasons show a wetter and cooler start and a hotter and dry end, while negative ADI growing seasons depict less precipitation and warmer temperatures early on, and much more precipitation and cooler temperatures later. Further, the results of this work reveal two different depictions of the SGP climate. First, a wet spring with a hot and dry summer noted through positive ADI. Then, times with a dry and warmer spring with a very wet and cooler summer seen in negative ADI growing seasons. Overall, these results are a next step in the analysis into the implications of ADI on the SGP climate, namely on the interannual impacts of different temperature and precipitation regimes on agriculture. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.