I’m a big climatologist at heart, so I started looking over the records for September rainfall. And I was somewhat surprised at what I found.
I had a feeling that September, 2009, was probably going to show up in the top 20 wettest Septembers since 1900, but I was rather shocked to see that through yesterday we are at 8.39″. That places us in the 9th spot in the record books – in the top 20 for sure, but much higher than I suspected.
Another amazing fact is that the difference between 9th place and first is only 4.80″. In fact, only 2 additional inches of rain will put this September in the top 5! And if we get at least the amount Tuscaloosa has seen today, about three-quarters of an inch, this September move up to at least 8th. Looking at radar, that seems a pretty safe bet at this writing – around 9:30 pm.
My rainfall in Helena is a tad behind the Birmingham airport. I’ve recorded 7.19″ so far this month.
Since my forecast includes at least three more days this month – not counting this evening – with some excellent rain chances, I think a monthly total of over 10 inches is possible. Then it will be a chase for the current number one spot of 13.19″. But the character of the rain could act against us if the airport doesn’t get one of the better showers.
And to think only two years ago, we couldn’t buy rain!!!
-Brian-
