Story Published:
Dec 7, 2008 at 7:27 PM EST
Story Updated:
Dec 7, 2008 at 7:31 PM EST
AUGUSTA, Ga. - A dry 2007 and 2008 have created a very significant drought in parts of Georgia and South Carolina, but with heavy November rains, there's a chance this year's rainfall deficit may turn into a surplus by the end of the month.
The average annual precipitation at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field is 44.58 inches, which is based on the 30-year average from 1971 to 2000. So far this year, Augusta has received 39.72 inches.
Our average December rainfall is just 3.14 inches, which would give Augusta a total of 42.86 inches--not enough to erase the deficit. So far this month, only 0.02 inch has been recorded.
However, with a new storm system in the forecast, the Augusta area could receive as much as 1 to 3 inches of additional rain Tuesday through Thursday, going a long way toward eliminating the deficit.
Augusta needs 4.84 inches of rain this month to avoid having an annual deficit this year. If the area does pick up heavy rain later this week, and has a couple of more significant rain events before the month ends, the area could actually see a surplus of rain for the year.
Two heavy rain events in November went a long way toward creating the possibility of surplus. Average rainfall in November is just 2.68 inches, but this year, 7.24 inches was recorded during November.
Lack of rainfall earlier this year contributed to last year's rainfall deficit of 10.67 inches. In 2006, the deficit was 3.61 inches. It will likely take many more months, or even years, for the area to recover from the deficits of 2006 and 2007.
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