Annual Rainfall Reaches 4th Wettest
As of December 26, 2009, with only five days left in the month and the year, the official observing site at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport has recorded 71.49 inches of rain. That places 2009 as the 4th wettest year on record since 1900. Here are the top five wettest years as reported by the National Weather Service. And we have just barely edged out 1920 for the 4th spot.
| Place | Year | Rain |
| 1 | 1929 | 81.82″ |
| 2 | 1961 | 76.48″ |
| 3 | 1932 | 75.36″ |
| 4 | 2009 | 71.49″ |
| 5 | 1920 | 71.45″ |
Additional rain is expected in the Wednesday/Thursday timeframe, but it’s probably unlikely that we will see more than 3.87″ of rain, the difference between 2009 and 1932.
-Brian-
December 26th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Brian: Well after all those recent years of drought Atlanta my break the annual all time rainfall total. The numbers posted below are effective up to but not beyond 12/22/09. Which means the rain amounts below do not have the pre-Christmas storm totals factored in. Here’s what FFC-NWS posted.
Atlanta:
1.1948-71.18″
2.1929-67.71″
3.2009-66.87″
4.1936-66.15″
5.1975-66.00″
As you can see whenever the pre-Chistmas storm rainfall total are added in, 2009 should move to #2. I haven’t seen any totals from that event. Once they are added in we’ll have to watch the week coming up to see if enough rainfalls before mid-night next Thur night/Fri morn to see if 2009 will move into 1st place all time rainfall for Atl. My GUESS is that on 12/26 (right now) Atl sits at approx 69.75″ we’ll be watching. Once again present total is a guess.
December 27th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Hey, Wayne. According to NWS Peachtree City, the total Atlanta rainfall through December 26th stands at 69.12″ so 2009 has a firm hold on the number 2 spot. Current rainfall projections suggest one half to one inch, so if that is right, then 2009 will be the second wettest on record for Atlanta.
-Brian-