RICHMOND, Va. -- August is less than ten days old, but we have already racked up some rainfall records.
The span of August 1 to August 6 is the wettest start to an August in weather history, going all the way back to the 1870s.
Two new daily rainfall records were set:
- 3.61" on August 4 (previous record 2.54" from 1948)
- 2.57" on August 6 (previous record 2.13" from 1901)
Here is a plot of rainfall from the past few days. Areas in pink are 4"+ of rain, and areas in light blue are in excess of 6".
These are estimates based on doppler radar. Rain gauges in your backyard may have recorded more or less.
August is typically our wettest month with an average of 4.66" of rainfall. Richmond International Airport has more than doubled that with rainfall from just four days: August 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The monthly total has already achieved the status of the 9th wettest August on record. With much of the month to go, cracking into the top 5 seems likely.
Rain chances will increase during the week. Due to the muggy air, any shower or storm that does develop will produce heavy rainfall. A slow-moving storm may create more flash flooding. Frequent clusters of storms are more likely late in the week.
Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority.
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