November rain sets records

Tropical Storm Ida brought more wet days to Georgia in November, setting rainfall records in what is normally a dry month.

Rainfall across most of the state was well above normal, according to radar estimates, particularly due to Ida’s heavy rains on Nov. 10. Many areas north of the fall line from Columbus to Augusta received more than 5 inches of rain. Southern Georgia, particularly the southeastern section, received below-normal rainfall, with the lowest values occurring near Brunswick.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 6.75 inches in Columbus (2.78 inches above normal). The lowest was in Brunswick at .71 inch (1.78 inches below normal). Atlanta received 5.75 inches (1.65 inches above normal), Macon 3.87 inches (.67 inch above normal), Athens 5.17 inches (1.46 inches above normal), Augusta 5.61 inches (2.93 inches above normal), Savannah 2.31 inches (.09 inch below normal) and Alma 1.41 inches (1.16 inches below normal).

Many stations within the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network also reported wet conditions for the month. The highest monthly totals of 10.80 inches and 10.46 inches were both reported in Rabun County in far northeast Georgia. On Nov. 11 with the passage of Ida, the highest one-day reports of 6.09 inches and 6.10 inches came from two observers in Monroe County in central Georgia.

The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring sites at Tiger in Rabun County and at Gainesville in Hall County both reported 7.89 inches for the month.

Daily record maximum rainfalls occurred Nov. 10 with Ida. At official NWS airport stations, Atlanta broke a daily maximum rainfall with an observation of 4.05 inches. Athens received 1.94 inches. Columbus received 5.44 inches, and Macon received 2.53 inches during this storm Nov.12. Alma also reported a daily record rainfall of .92 inches Nov. 22.

Because of the unusually high rainfall in September, October and November, Athens, Atlanta, Macon and Columbus airports set their records for the wettest fall seasons ever recorded. Athens reported 24.13 inches, Atlanta 23.31 inches, Columbus 18.43 inches and Macon 20.94 inches during the three-month period.

Temperatures across the state were near normal. In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 53.8 degrees F (.4 degree above normal), in Athens 54.8 degrees (2.1 degrees above normal), Columbus 55.4 degrees (1.3 degrees below normal), Macon 55.6 degrees (.5 degree above normal), Savannah 59.4 degrees (.7 degree above normal), Brunswick 61.7 degrees (.1 degree above normal), Alma 58.3 degrees (2.4 degrees below normal) and Augusta 55.7 degree (1.2 degrees above normal). No temperature records were set in November.

Most of the state had not yet experienced a killing freeze, or temperatures below 28 degrees, by the end of the month.

Georgians did not experience any severe weather in November.

The Department of Natural Resources reported there are more black bears roaming Georgia this year due to both the large acorn crop caused by drought-stressed oak trees in 2008 and the rainy conditions this year, which provided ample vegetation to fatten the bears up. They are predicting a record bear hunting season due to the increase in size and number of bears.

During November, the rains in northern Georgia due to Ida caused problems for farmers trying to harvest hay and other crops. Some grub infestations were reported. In the first and third weeks, dry conditions allowed good progress to be made on harvesting of peanuts, soybeans and cotton. Rain showers benefited the planting of small grains.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Volatile October sets record temps in Georgia

Northern Georgia continued to see wet conditions as the southeastern part of the state dried in October. Several record high and low temperatures were set with an active weather pattern that sent both warm and cold fronts moving across the state.

Scattered locations along a line north of Columbus to Rabun Gap received in excess of 10 inches of rain in October. Below-normal rain amounts were reported in southern Georgia, with the lowest reported in Brunswick (2.15 inches, or 1.76 inches below normal), according to radar estimates. None of the rainfall was from tropical cyclones.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 9.14 inches in Athens (5.67 inches above normal). Atlanta received 8.71 inches (5.60 inches above normal), Macon 6.37 inches (4 inches above normal), Columbus 6.39 inches (4.06 inches above normal), Augusta 5.10 inches (1.9 inches above normal), Savannah 3.41 inches (.29 inch above normal), and Alma 2.71 inches (.08 inch below normal).

Fifty-three stations with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHS, reported 10 inches of rain or more for their monthly totals. The highest was 12.38 inches near LaGrange in Troup County. Other monthly rainfall totals more than 12 inches were reported at Emma, Stockbridge and Manchester. The highest 24-hour rainfall was 4.5 inches, reported east of Gainesville in Hall County Oct. 12.

The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring site at Alpharetta in Fulton County reported 10.84 inches for the month, including 3.84 inches on the Oct. 12 and 2.19 inches on Oct. 27.

Lake Lanier reached full pool mid-month for the first time since Sept. 6, 2005. Lake Allatoona was 12 feet above full pool.

Daily record maximum rainfalls occurred on several days. At official NWS airport stations, Atlanta broke a daily record with 2.5 inches and Athens 3.84 inches on Oct. 12. Columbus set daily records Oct. 14 and 27.

Temperatures across the state were variable. In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 61 degrees (1.8 degrees below normal), in Athens 60.7 degrees (1.1 degrees below normal), Columbus 64.5 degrees (1.3 degrees below normal), Macon 64.5 degrees (.6 degree above normal), Savannah 68.5 degrees (1.5 degrees above normal), Brunswick 71.5 degrees (1.9 degree above normal), Alma 68.9 degrees (.4 degree above normal) and Augusta 63.2 degrees (.1 degree above normal). In general, the coolest spots were where the most rain occurred.

Savannah reported a record high temperature of 93 degrees Oct. 9. Augusta, Savannah and Alma reported record low temperatures in the 50s and 60s Oct. 17. Athens had a record low temperature of 33 degrees and Macon tied its low temperature of 35 degrees Oct. 19. Scattered frost occurred in northern, low-lying locations during this cold outbreak.

There was one tornado reported. The EF-1 tornado touched down south of Americus and severely damaged a grocery store Oct. 15. More than 100 trees were snapped.

The heavy rainfall damaged many rural roads during the month. A motorist sustained minor injuries near Glennville when wind toppled a tree onto the car Oct. 27. There were scattered reports of strong winds or small hail somewhere in Georgia on 4 days. Flooding occurred in low-lying areas Oct. 13 with the heavy rainfalls and storms across northern Georgia. Dense fog in Atlanta Oct. 27 caused multiple traffic accidents during the morning commute.

The rains in northern Georgia caused problems for farmers trying to harvest hay and other crops. Many counties reported problems with rot in the cotton and hay and sprouted corn that was exposed to wet conditions. Peanuts in central Georgia were reported to be on track for a record late harvest. Fieldwork came to a stop in many areas. In other areas of the state the rain was beneficial to crops and harvesting was proceeding at a good pace.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Soggy September floods north Georgia

Heavy rains caused record flooding in north Georgia in mid-September, while other parts of the state experienced and normal to below-normal rainfall.

A large, slow-moving low-pressure system brought extremely humid air into Georgia mid-month. It triggered days of intense rainfall, producing what was estimated to be a 500-year flood around Atlanta, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The highest rain totals estimated by National Weather Service radars were 15 inches to 20 inches in Douglas County and other areas east and west of downtown Atlanta.

Twenty-one counties were declared eligible for federal disaster funds. Preliminary damage estimates were $500 million to $1 billion. Thousands of homes were affected, and 500 were destroyed or significantly damaged.

The flood is considered the worst since 1919, when flood waters almost destroyed West Point in western Georgia.

Parts of four interstates were closed. I-20 remained closed for more than 24 hours as flood waters rose 3 feet over the pavement and inundated Six Flags Over Georgia.

Following the rain, Lake Lanier rose 1.5 feet in 24 hours. Lake Allatoona rose almost 9 feet during the week after. More than 130 dams and many bridges now require stability inspections.

Four water-treatment plants in Atlanta were damaged and dumped raw sewage into the Chattahoochee River. A pipe in a levee near Macon broke and discharged millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Ocmulgee River at the end of the month. Citizens were urged to stay out of the flood water. Some communities issued advisories to boil water.

Ten people were killed, most while driving onto roads covered by moving water. Seven deaths were in Douglas County, where the heaviest rainfall occurred. Additional deaths occurred in Carroll, Chattooga and Gwinnett counties.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 10.68 inches in Macon (7.42 inches above normal). The lowest was in Alma at 1.59 inches (1.75 below normal). Atlanta received 8.94 inches (4.85 inches above normal), Athens 9.86 inches (6.33 inches above normal), Columbus 5.30 inches (2.23 inches above normal), Augusta 3.63 inches (.15 inch above normal), Savannah 2.43 inches (2.65 inches below normal) and Brunswick 4.57 inches (1.67 inches below normal).

Forty-eight Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network observers reported 15 inches or more total rainfall for the month. The highest single monthly total was 22.86 inches near Kennesaw in Cobb County. However, two observers in Douglas County reported overflowing rain gauges. An observer in Lilburn in Gwinnett County reported 21.79 inches.

The highest daily rainfall reported by a CoCoRaHS observer exceeded 11 inches in a few hours near Douglasville on Sept. 21, when the rain gauge overflowed. The Carrollton observer nearest the area of maximum rainfall reported 10.64 inches in 24 hours ending that morning.

The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring site at Dallas in Paulding County reported 16.15 inches for the month, including 5.61 inches on the Sept. 20 and 4.54 inches on Sept. 21.

Numerous daily and monthly rainfall records occurred at National Weather Service cooperative observing stations around the state. Dallas and Carrollton broke 30-year records of heaviest daily rainfall. Atlanta broke a daily maximum rainfall of 3.52 inches on Sept. 19, and Macon broke daily records with 2.32 inches on Sept. 17.

No tornadoes were reported. Scattered reports of strong winds or small hail where reported four days resulting in toppled trees or scattered power outages.

The heavy rains in north Georgia caused extensive damage to nurseries, vineyards and hay fields. Many counties reported rot in cotton and insect infestations. Fieldwork came to a stop in many areas. In other areas, the rain was beneficial to crops and harvesting proceeded at a good pace.

Temperatures across the state were near normal in September except in Augusta where the average temperature was 75.6 degrees (1.6 degrees above normal).

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

August weather a mixed bag across Georgia

Rainfall across east Georgia was below normal in August. However, the coastal area received heavy flooding. West Georgia received above normal rainfall, too.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service was 8.26 inches in Columbus (4.48 inches above normal). The lowest was in Augusta at 2.26 inches (2.08 inches below normal).

Atlanta received 6.14 inches (2.47 inches above normal), Athens 2.70 inches (1.08 inches below normal), Macon 3.83 inches (.04 inches above normal), Alma 5.79 inches (.29 inches above normal), Savannah 7.86 inches (.66 inches above normal), and Brunswick 7.10 inches (.94 inches above normal).

So far, Athens has seen its driest summer since 1993.

Savannah reported severe flooding on August 3, with most of the rain falling in a 2-hour period coinciding with high tide. An observer at Pooler reported 4.62 inches for the day.

The highest monthly total rainfall from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network was 15.14 inches measured on Wilmington Island near Savannah. Two other Savannah area observers reported 14.93 and 14.22 inches. An observer in Effingham County reported 14.03 inches for the month.

The highest daily rainfall reported by a CoCoRaHS observer was 5.10 inches in Grovetown in Columbia County on Aug. 13, followed by 3.82 inches in Martinez and 3.79 inches on Skidaway Island. On Aug. 28, 3.74 inches fell in north Atlanta in DeKalb County. Snellville got 3.72 inches on Aug.15.

The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring site in Randolph County reported 12.52 inches for the month, including 4.84 inches on Aug. 28, the highest amount reported in southwestern Georgia.

Three daily record maximum rainfalls occurred in August. One was in Atlanta, where a daily maximum rainfall of 1.57 inches was reported on August 28. The second was in Columbus, which received 2.32 inches on Aug. 11. The other was in Brunswick, where a daily rainfall of 2.34 inches was reported on Aug. 12.

The monthly average temperature in Atlanta was 78.9 degrees F (exactly normal), in Athens 79.7 degrees (1.3 degrees above normal), Columbus 79.6 degrees (1.7 degrees below normal), Macon 80 degrees (normal), Savannah 81.2 degrees (.4 degrees above normal), Brunswick 81.1 degrees (.2 degrees below normal), Alma 80.6 degrees (.5 degrees below normal) and Augusta 80.4 degrees (1.1 degrees above normal). Brunswick tied their record low with 70 degrees on August 5.

No tornadoes were reported. There were reports of strong winds or small hail on 13 days. Damage was mainly from toppled trees and scattered power outages. Lightning associated with some of the storms did cause several house fires in the metro Atlanta area, particularly at the end of the month. A 14-year-old boy was severely injured by a lightning strike during a football practice Aug. 12 in Evans County.

Scattered rains helped crops in some locations but hindered harvesting in other areas. Corn yield may be better than expected due to timely rains.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

June starts wet, ends dry, remained hot

High pressure dominated Georgia’s weather in June, leading to temperatures that were well above normal. Lack of rainfall in most areas contributed to general drying of the soils in most counties and put stress on some crops.

In spite of the heat, the only record temperatures that were tied or broken this month were in Brunswick. The daily maximum tied at 98 F on the 17th and was broken at 98 F on the 21st.

The monthly average temperatures were: Atlanta at 79.8 degrees (3 degrees above normal), Athens at 79.9 degrees (3.6 degrees above normal), Columbus at 81.3 degrees (2.1 degrees above normal), Macon 80.8 degrees (2.8 degrees above normal), Savannah 81.9 degrees (3.1 degrees above normal), Brunswick 82.4 degrees (3 degrees above normal), Alma 81.6 degrees (2.3 degrees above normal) and Augusta 80.3 degrees (2.8 degrees above normal).

Rainfall across the state was below normal, according to radar estimates. The only exception was a small area near Jesup in southeast Georgia. More than 10 inches of rain fell in an isolated area in Wayne and Long counties. The rest of the state was 1 inch to 3 inches below normal.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service airport reporting stations was 4.40 inches in Savannah (1.09 inches below normal). The lowest was in Athens at 1.66 inches (2.28 inches below normal).

Atlanta received 2.34 inches (1.29 below normal), Columbus 3.79 inches (.28 above normal), Macon 2.82 inches (.72 inches below normal), Alma 2.26 inches (3.23 inches below normal), Brunswick 4.10 inches (.95 inches below normal) and Augusta 3.78 inches (.41 inches below normal).

The highest monthly total rainfall from the CoCoRaHS volunteer reporting network during June was 8.49 inches measured near St. Mary in the far southeastern corner of the state. Observers at Clarkesville measured 7.48 inches for the month. Kingsland reported 7.35 inches, and Brooklet measured 7 inches over the month.

The highest daily rainfall amount reported by a CoCoRaHS observer was 3.90 inches northwest of Gainesville on June 5. Blairsville reported 3.25 inches on the 18th and Rome reported 3.0 inches on the 5th.

Much of the rain in north Georgia came with scattered storms arriving from the northwest in the large-scale circulation around the high pressure that was centered just to the west of Georgia.

One tornado was reported. It occurred on June 4 about 6 miles west of Brunswick, when a funnel briefly touched down, causing minimal damage. In addition, there were reports of hail or strong winds somewhere in Georgia on 13 additional dates. In Augusta on the 18th, it was reported that 8,500 households were without power in association with one of these storms.

Early in the month, farmers had problems doing field work and crop planting due to wet conditions. Problems with tobacco virus and sprouted wheat were reported by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents. Lack of rain later in the month, combined with the hot temperatures, many crops became stressed, especially in non-irrigated fields.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

May was wet, windy month in Georgia

May in Georgia was very wet. Temperatures were normal to 2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. There were reports of hail or strong winds somewhere in Georgia on at least 16 days.
The monthly average temperature in Atlanta was 70.2 degrees (.4 degrees above normal); in Athens 70.5 degrees (1.4 degrees above normal); Columbus 72.3 degrees (normal); Macon 72.4 degrees (1.4 degrees above normal); Savannah 74.2 degrees (1.4 degrees above normal); Brunswick 74.9 degrees (1.2 degrees above normal); Alma 73.8 degrees (normal); and in Augusta 72.2 degrees (1.7 degrees above normal). Several record-low maximum temperatures in the 60s were recorded in Savannah, Alma and Brunswick on May 18 and 19.

Except for a band south of Atlanta and in southwest Georgia, rainfall across the state was above normal according to radar estimates. Over 10 inches of rain was observed by radar in northeast Georgia and along the coast as well as a few isolated areas in Charlton and Terrell counties.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 9.69 inches in Savannah (6.08 inches above normal). The lowest was in Athens at 3.58 inches (.28 inches below normal).

According to the NWS, Columbus received 5.10 inches (1.48 inches above normal); Macon 5.73 inches (2.75 inches above normal); Alma 8.14 inches (5.10 inches above normal); Brunswick 5.33 inches (2.64 inches above normal); and Augusta 4.38 inches (1.31 inches above normal). Several daily records of rainfall were set during the month at these stations, including 2.08 inches at Alma on May 23.

The highest one-day total rainfall from the CoCoRaHS network was 3.77 inches measured at two stations on Skidaway Island on May 22. There was also a one-day total of 3.75 inches at Waycross on May 27. The highest monthly rainfall total was 13.08 inches near Dillard in northern Rabun County. Several other monthly rainfall amounts of over 10 inches were reported at Rabun Gap as well as near Savannah. The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network station in Rabun County reported 10.43 inches for May.

The rainy conditions in April and May contributed to problems with mosquitoes in south Georgia. Health authorities in Lowndes County reported a health emergency on May 6. Prior to the wet conditions about nine mosquitoes per trap were found in the county. After the onset of wet conditions, traps averaged 786 mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can act as carriers for multiple illnesses, including the West Nile virus.

No tornadoes were reported. The strongest storms occurred on May 2 and 3 with the passage of a strong derecho through north and middle Georgia. A derecho is a bow-shaped line of strong thunderstorms that move at speeds up to 60 miles per hour and can cause significant damage from straight-line winds. Numerous trees were reported down with the high winds observed throughout the month.

The drought conditions of the past few years may have contributed to the number of trees that were weakened and sustained damage. Some damage to vegetable crops was noted, and three center-pivot irrigation systems in central Georgia were destroyed by high winds and hail during the third week of May.

During the first of the month, farmers had trouble doing field work and planting due to dry conditions. After the first week, they had difficulty doing field work due to heavy rains. Powdery mildew and other plant diseases and the washing of fertilizer out of the fields were reported by a number of observers in the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin this month. Some farmers reported hay rotting in the fields and small grains sprouting from the heads as well as drowned tobacco plants.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

January Dry Month with Variable Temps for Georgia

Georgia’s temperatures were close to typical last month. Most weather stations reported mean temperatures of only 1 degree Fahrenheit above normal. Macon had the highest departure at 2 F above normal. The Alma station reported the lowest departure of 1 F below normal.

Temperatures during the month swung from cold to warm and back again as a series of fronts moved through the region, bringing Arctic and Gulf of Mexico air by turns into the state. These swings were consistent with the weather patterns expected during the neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation phase, which was present at the beginning of the month.

There were two temperature records tied or set last month. Alma tied a low temperature of 23 F on the Jan. 16. Columbus set a new high temperature of 75 F on January 6.

The northwest corner received above normal precipitation. Rome reported a 24-hour total of 5.06 inches on Jan. 6 alone. It received 7.42 inches in total during the month, compared to a normal of 5.47 inches. However, rainfall for most of the state was below average.

Atlanta reported 2.88 inches (or 2.15 inches below normal); Athens reported 2.70 inches (1.99 below normal); Columbus 2.49 inches (2.29 below normal); Macon 1.34 inches (3.66 below normal); Savannah 1.02 inches (2.93 below normal); Alma 1.47 inches (3.36 below normal); Brunswick 1.83 inches (2.03 below normal); and Augusta 1.52 inches (2.98 below normal).

In some parts of southwest Georgia, rainfall was as much as 5 inches below normal.

Drought conditions expanded last month slightly in the east and along the coast.

The most active weather event in January was a strong frontal passage on January 5-6. It brought the first two tornadoes of the year. One was located near Chattoogaville in northwest Georgia, the other near Forsyth south of Atlanta. Both were small local tornadoes which did only minor damage to roofs and trees and destroyed one mobile home.

A number of high-wind reports were also received from this frontal passage in southwest Georgia.

The rainfall from the effects of the Gulf of Mexico low that rode up the front caused localized flooding in northern Georgia along some streams and caused water to almost overflow several small dams. However, stream flows fell quickly once the pulse of rainfall moved through the system, reflecting the continuing dry conditions.

Cold temperatures in the second half of January slowed field work across the state. Farmers were concerned with the slow growth of forage and small grains.

Blueberries in bloom in southern Georgia were damaged by low temperatures Jan. 21-23, as well as breakage due to the weight of water sprayed on the bushes, a practice farmers do to reduce the effects of freezing air.

For more Georgia weather information, go to the Web site http://climate.engr.uga.edu.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page