Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

September Rainfall Below Normal; Still Up For Year

Though it rained more in September, the moisture falling to the ground was still less than normal for the ninth month of the year.

According to John W. Teeter, local meteorologist, the area received 2.91 inches of rain in September, but the normal rainfall for the month is 3.49 inches. This left a shortfall of 0.56 inches.

And, in spite of the September rain deficit, he said, the area is still on the plus side because of heavy rains early in 1999.

Teeter said the normal amount of rain for the area this time of year is 38.19 inches, while 40.10 inches has fallen. This means there is a surplus of 1.91 inches in theory.

In the southern part of Nevada County, Cale weatherman Davis Benton said it rained 1.13 inches in September, and stands at 34.86 inches for the year.

Teeter said it rained six days in September, which seemed like a lot because of the lack of rain in July and August.

The largest single day total, he said, was 1.46 inches on the night of Sept. 12-13. Still, though, September finished dry as only 0.11 of an inch fell after Sept. 15.

"This low rainfall amount following the dry months of July and August," Teeter said, "has produced extremely dry conditions."

The wettest September on record, he said, was in 1974 when a deluge of 13.9 inches was recorded. At the other end of the spectrum, the driest September on record was in 1948, when a paltry 0.08 of an inch fell.

Benton agreed with the dry conditions, saying the southern part of the county has received only 3.12 inches of rain in the last three months.

Temperatures also began falling in September, though the high was 98 on Sept. 1, Teeter said, with the low for the month being 45 degrees.

Benton said the highest temperature recorded in Cale was 94, while the lowest the mercury fell to was 48.

The mean temperature for September, according to Teeter, was 73.7 degrees.

"September was a calm month weatherwise," Teeter said. "There was only one watch issued compared to the usual three. Most will recall this watch produced all night thunder and heavy rainfall. Our station recorded 1.46 inches, but areas in the south half of the county received much greater amounts."

Looking at October, the normal amount of rain for the month is 3.27 inches, while the mean temperature is 65.1 degrees.

Teeter said there are usually three weather watches and/or warnings issued during the tenth month of the year.