RSS Feed |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Rainfall! More on the way?
The rolling thunder and soaking rainfall was a sight which had been too long coming. The rain clouds and scattered thunderstorms soaked Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama before finally making its way into Southwest Georgia early Monday morning. The weather system "trained" the rains out of the Gulf of Mexico northeast through Atlanta and into north Georgia. Rainfall totals reportedlyranged from over one-half inch to over three inches across Southwest Georgia. Heavier rains, some over four inches were reported to the west in south Alabama. While a sight for sore eyes, Monday's rainfall provided only slight and temporary relief from the drought. The rains and most of the clouds were gone by late Monday afternoon with forecasts predicting mostly sunny skies the remainder of the week, with highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 40s. The drought across parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas continues with rainfall shortages over 20 inches in parts of Georgia. Most streams have dwindled to a trickle, if flowing at all, and some lake levels are reaching record lows. However, assistant state climatologist Pam Knox said the rain Georgia experienced Monday and over the Thanksgiving holidays is paving the way for rain to come. "I wouldn't be surprised if early next week we see another system come through," Knox said. "It's very typical for this time of year to see systems come through every five to seven days or so." And, indeed, a check with wunderground.com revealed a prediction of showers and thunderstorms beginning Sunday night and Monday. She emphasized, however, that just because it rained does not mean the drought is over. "It's important to keep in mind that water conservation rules are still in effect," Knox said. "We've got a long way to go, but this is certainly a good sign." Lake Lanier northeast of Atlanta has slipped to its lowest level, 19 feet below full pool, since Buford Dam was built in 1959. It is still being speculated that without relief from the drought the metro Atlanta could run out of water within several months.
Lake Walter F. George at Ft. Gaines is also experiencing low levels at 185.1, two feet below normal level for November and four feet below full pool.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
