RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Finally, it rained in Richmond! Sure, we’ve had a number of “Trace” rainfall days this month and even some minor measurable rain here and there. But it’s been a while, as we all know, since we had a good soaking rainfall in Central Virginia. Since March 1, we are almost three and a half inches below average for Spring precipitation. For April alone, we’re more than an inch and three-quarters in the hole. Since January 1, we are 4.16 inches (including today’s tenth of an inch of rainfall through Noon) below average for year-to-date precipitation.
But let’s look at this in another way. The last time we had rainfall of at least a tenth of an inch, like today, it was nearly a month ago on March 28. Just 0.12″ of rainfall was reported. That’s the most rainfall we had before today.
What about the last time we had a half-inch of rainfall or more? That was March 24. Several days in March produced a half-inch of rain or more, but the month still ended up below average for precipitation by an inch and a half. March rainfall couldn’t stop the drought from beginning in April.
Well…what about the last time we had a storm system bring us an inch or more of rainfall? February 29, 2012 comes very close with 0.96″ that day. We’ll give it a gold star. But for the real deal, we actually have to go back into the FALL of 2011 to get to our last big soaking rainfall in Richmond. November 16, 2011 Richmond International Airport measured 2.47″ with an additional 0.28″ on the following day, November 17.
This weekend’s storm system in Virginia could produce widespread rainfall totals of one to two inches in central Virginia. That would be the first time since mid-November we’ve had anything like it. Yes, Virginia, there really is rain in the forecast.
Click here to see the recent Drought Update.
Meteorologist Carrie Rose
“Like” Carrie on Facebook
Follow Carrie on Twitter
