Kingfisher Mesonet recorded an even five inches of rain over the weekend and up to Monday morning, the highest amount in the state.

Local Weather Observer Steve Loftis recorded a total of 5.37 inches for the week at the National Weather Service station in Kingfisher.

Loftis recorded 2.3 inches at 7 a.m. Saturday, .5 inch at 7 a.m. Sunday, .57 inch at 7 a.m. on Monday and 2.00 inches at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The rainfall amounts were all for the preceding 24-hour period.

While the rain arrived too late to provide an appreciable boost in small grain crop prospects, local observers indicated, it did provide residence, 1.4 inches at the Bryan Kennedy residence west of Hennessey and two inches north of Hennessey. Kingfisher – 5.5 inches at an unofficial gauge near Shafenberg Road, east of Kingfisher; three inches at the Twila Adams residence five miles east of Kingfisher and 3 inches at the Tom Arms residence west of Kingfisher. Okarche – 3.8 inches at the Mike and Donna Reid residence seven miles northwest of Okarche. two inches at Okarche Grain and Feed Elevator. Omega– 1.5 inches at the Donald Schweitzer residence two miles west of Omega and 2.5 inches at the Ronald Schweitzer residence.

pond water and pasture growth for livestock, as well as a boost for lawns and gardens.

Kingfisher County OSU Extension Director-Agricultural Educator Bryan Kennedy said the rain “would help everything” including people’s attitudes.

“Six weeks ago, I thought we might be cutting grain by May 20th,” he said, but indicated the weekend rain put the county back on track for a more normal harvest start.

He predicted the rain would benefit later maturing wheat the most, helping fill the grain heads.

Kennedy predicted a smaller than normal wheat crop statewide due to drought conditions.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Prospective Plantings report on March 31, estimating U.S. 2023-24 wheat planted area up 9 percent from the previous year to 49.9 million acres, which would be the highest since 2016-17.

A number of area wheat fields have been cut for hay.

Donald Schweitzer, Omega farmer, said the additional rain could improve the fill of the grain in his area.

Rainfall amounts reported locally included: Cashion – 1.1 inch Sunday night and an estimated three inches for the weekend..

Dover – 2.5 inches at the Rick and Robin Johnston residence, northwest of Dover and 2.8 inches reported by JoAnn Holthus, east of Dover.

Hennessey – 2.0 inches at the Ray A. Shimanek Mesonet readings for the three-day period included: Kingfisher, 5.0 inches; Watonga 1.55 inches, Guthrie 4.39 inches, El Reno 2.58 inches, Yukon 3.56 inches, Minco 2.66 inches Marshall .93 inch, Chickasha 1.79 inches, Norman 2.35 inches, Lake Carl Blackwell, 3.47 inches, Shawnee 1.94 inches, Perkins 2.84 inches, Elk City 1.19 inches, Weatherford 1.11 inches and Walters 2.53 inches.