Story Published:
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST
Story Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 at 7:05 AM EST
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Heavy weekend rainfall across Georgia-Carolina has many thinking, 'what drought?'
This weekend's heavy rain combined with heavy rain about two weeks ago has made this November one of the wettest months of November ever recorded in Augusta.
But it wasn't just rain that made history this month. November 2008 will also go down in the record books as one of the coldest ever in Augusta.
A Wet Month
The average November rainfall in Augusta is 2.68 inches. This year, November rainfall at Augusta Regional Airport more than doubled the normal amount. The official amount at Bush Field was 7.24 inches.
The ongoing rainfall deficit was nearly decimated after the heavy rain. Prior to the rain, Augusta's deficit for 2008 was nearly four inches, but has been reduced to a little under two inches. A wet December could make up the entire deficit before the end of the year. Even if that happens, the area still needs several months of above average rainfall to end the drought that began in early 2007.
NBC Augusta 26 News researched climate records and found that since 1950, about the time records began at Bush Field, 2008 marks the second wettest November on record. And, when records dating back to 1871 at various locations around Augusta are taken into account, 2008 had the fourth wettest November on the list, just behind 1871, 1947, and 1985. 1992 had the fifth wettest November on record.
A Cold Month
Near record precipitation wasn't the only aspect of the weather to be historic during the month. While rainfall was well above average, temperatures were well below average. According to official climate records obtained by NBC Augusta 26 News, November 2008 will go down as the sixth coldest November since 1900. The top five coldest November's occurred in 1976, 1901, 1950, 1969, and 1995.
The average temperature in Augusta during the month was 50.7 degrees, far below the normal of 54.4.
Storm Spotter Reports
NBC Augusta storm spotters reported a tremendous amount of rain during the weekend. Below are some of the amounts reported:
1. 3.50", Irina in Blythe
2. 3.40", Ken in Windsor
3. 3.20", Lil near Daniel Field in Augusta
4. 3.00", Justin in Aiken
5. 2.95", Proctor in Aiken
6. 2.65", Susan in Augusta off Skinner Mill Rd.
It's important to note that the Augusta-Aiken area picked up more rain in one weekend than is normally received in the entire month of November.
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