News Summary
Chattanooga has set a new record for rainfall in May, accumulating 12.02 inches of precipitation, surpassing the previous record of 12 inches that had stood for 96 years. The updated total was confirmed following a final 0.26 inches of rain on the last Friday of May. The month featured several days of intense thunderstorms, leading to multiple instances of significant rainfall. With predictions for a wetter start to June, the city is bracing for potential ongoing weather disruptions.
Chattanooga Sets New May Rainfall Record with 12.02 Inches
Chattanooga has officially set a new record for rainfall in May, accumulating 12.02 inches of precipitation, surpassing the previous record of 12 inches that had stood for 96 years. This new total was eclipsed by a mere two-hundredths of an inch, marking a significant milestone for the city’s weather history.
The record-breaking rainfall was finalized after the city received 0.26 inches of precipitation on Friday, which pushed the monthly total over the previous benchmark set in 1929. Meteorological officials confirmed the new record, and an official climate summary for May is expected to be released shortly.
Detailed Rainfall Analysis
The rain totals were driven by a series of thunderstorms throughout the month. The heaviest day, May 2, recorded 1.77 inches of rain, while another significant rainfall event occurred on May 11, when 1.54 inches fell. In total, there were five separate days in May where rainfall exceeded one inch within a 24-hour period, contributing to the record-breaking amount.
According to forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center, the beginning of June is expected to be wetter than usual, with a 30% to 40% chance of above-normal precipitation predicted for areas north of Chattanooga and a higher 40% to 50% chance to the southwest. This may indicate continued rainfall in the coming weeks.
Historical Context and Future Implications
While Chattanooga enjoys a new monthly record for May, it is still short of the all-time monthly record of 16.32 inches, which was set in March 1980. The recent record represents a corrective measure in the ongoing year-to-year rainfall deficit in the region, suggesting that the recent deluge may play a beneficial role in mitigating potential dry spells in the months ahead.
Looking forward, forecasts indicate that sunny skies with temperatures expected to reach the upper 80s will prevail until Thursday evening, when thunderstorms may again have a chance of developing, with a 20% probability of precipitation.
Concluding Thoughts
As Chattanooga adapts to the new rainfall record for May, residents and local authorities remain vigilant about weather patterns and their potential impact on the region. With the predicted wetter-than-usual start to June, the unfolding weather conditions will continue to be monitored closely.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: May’s Record Rain
- Google Search: Chattanooga rainfall
- Local 3 News: Hixson Area Hit
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga weather
- Nooga Today: Weather Forecast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chattanooga Weather
- MILB: Clingstones Win in Chattanooga
- Google News: Chattanooga mosquitoes
