Back on September 20, I posted a note about Record Rain Speculation for September, 2009. September is rapidly coming to a close, and by my forecast, there is only one good rain event left for this month. Plus, my esteemed colleague, Dr. Tim, posed a question in a recent telephone conversation, so I thought I would update the post with the latest information and research.
I’ve prepared a table of the 10 wettest Septembers in Birmingham since 1900. Dr. Tim wondered in our conversation how many of these 10 wet Septembers were a result of tropical systems. So I delved into the archives, and I’ve added a column showing what tropical system(s) were involved in our wet months. Not surprising, as you can see, was the wettest September ever came from Hurricanes #5 and #6. Each affected Central Alabama, one early in the month and one toward the end of the month.
| Place | Year | Rain | Storm Name |
| 1 | 1906 | 13.19″ | Hurricane #5 & #6 |
| 2 | 2004 | 10.96″ | Ivan |
| 3 | 1977 | 10.43″ | Babe |
| 4 | 1979 | 10.40″ | Frederick |
| 5 | 2002 | 9.94″ | – |
| 6 | 2009 | 9.78″ | – |
| 7 | 1951 | 9.74″ | – |
| 8 | 1957 | 9.59″ | – |
| 9 | 1988 | 8.57″ | Florence |
| 10 | 1972 | 8.09″ | – |
So, what IF?
What IF we get a half inch of rain? September 2009 would move up to the fifth wettest September on record.
What IF we get three-quarters of an inch of rain? This September would land in third place in the record book for wet Septembers.
And, what IF we get an inch of rain? September 2009 would take over third place only 18 hundredths of an inch from second place.
As with all records, we’ll just have to wait and see what the atmosphere drops on us. I’m pulling for 1.25″ of rain so we get the Silver!
-Brian-
PS As of 1:00 pm, the Birmingham airport had recorded 0.15″ in the current rain while other places like at my house I recorded 0.62″.
