Asheville Sets New Annual Rainfall Record
Good Morning Folks! We called for 3 - 5" over the course of two days and already our forecasted totals have been surpassed, particularly along the escarpment (SC state line are). Several 6" plus totals are showing up on the rainfall map, with numerous 5" plus amounts stretching all the way down into Cullowhee Valley, with WCU picking up 5.21" over the past 24 hours (ending 8:30am). We expect another 1 - 3" before its all said and done and a 8 - 9" event total is not out of the question for places like Lake Toxaway, Highlands and Rosman. Keeping with the excessive rain line, it seems Asheville will break its record for the wettest year on record, with a current total of 76" and counting. The previous record goes back to 2013" (75.22") with an average annual rainfall around 45" for Asheville (37" for downtown). Although this is impressive, it doesn't compare to Mt Mitchell, which will also break its annual record with a current annual total of 131" and counting!!!
Heavy rain moves through this morning as the front crosses the region and showers wind down this evening, setting up Saturday with sunshine, which is needed as another period of wet weather sets up shop Sunday, sticking around through Thursday. Temps all the while will be on the warmer side of normal, cooling down sometime Wednesday or Thursday and perhaps dipping to below normal levels by the end of next week.
Widespread showers continue to push across the region this morning and the heaviest of the rain is still off to our west, pushing east at a decent speed, with an expected arrival some time before midday. Temps will soar to the mid 50's - low 60's due to strong southerly flow across the region, coupled with a intense low level jet that will cause winds to gust to near 60mph across the higher elevations before sunset. As the front pushes east and clear the mountains, precip will begin to wind down with clearing skies expected later on tonight, supporting lows in the upper 30's - low 40's across the area. Wind speeds will calm down a bit but continue to remain rather strong as they gust to near 25mph above 4000' and drop down to 10mph along the valley floor.
Saturday looks to be our only day to dry out as sunny skies move in and bring temps to the low 50's - low 60's once again, however clouds develop shortly before sunset, with light showers peppering the region sometime after midnight; lows in the low - mid 40's.
Sunday through the middle of next week continues to feature periods of rain as the front that crossed our region today lifts back north, becoming the mechanism for scattered to widespread showers late Sunday into Monday. A second front sweeps the region Tuesday with a possible lull in the action Wednesday, however a surge of moisture pushes in from the Gulf South Thursday and keeps the rain party going till at least Friday. Temps while will climb to the mid - upper 50's Monday and low - mid 50's Tuesday, cooling down to the upper 30's - mid 40's Wednesday and Thursday. We don't expect any snowfall during this time and another handful of inches is likely before its all said and done, prompting us to wonder if Asheville will break the 80" mark for the season!
We'll provide another update Sunday morning and we encourage everyone to get out and about Saturday as it may be our last sunny/dry day till late next week.