The storm system passing through the area the first half of this week may provide over one inch of rain across parts of Virginia. Even though some recent rainfall was beneficial for short-term conditions, we continue to be well below normal for seasonal and yearly rainfall totals.
Prior to this current storm system, Richmond International Airport had received about 6.3″ of rain since March 1, which is about 2.5″ below normal. For the year, the total rainfall was about 11.25″, which is about 3.3″ below normal. (Also keep in mind these are the official totals registered at the airport, and other locations within our viewing area have received widely varying totals.)
The National Weather Service has issued its latest drought monitor, which keeps central and eastern Virginia in the “abnormally dry” category. Some sections of southeast Virginia continue to be classified as a “moderate drought”.
As we move into summer, we need to receive about 1″ to 1.25″ of rainfall per week to combat the amount of water evaporated via sunshine. Since many of our rain events in the summer come from scattered thunderstorms, now is the time when we need to build up soil moisture with uniform rain events.
