U.S. Southeast experiencing rainfall and tornado extremes in 2013 [1]

Earthsky.org - 8/22/13, Matt Daniel

Across Georgia, rainfall totals are adding up to totals typically seen across an entire average year. Atlanta, Georgia averages 49.68 inches per year [2] based on climatology records from 1981-2010. As of August 19, 2013, Atlanta has already recorded 50.43 inches of rain, and we still have over four months left until the year ends.

Across Georgia, rainfall totals are adding up to totals typically seen across an entire average year. Atlanta, Georgia averages 49.68 inches per year [2] based on climatology records from 1981-2010. As of August 19, 2013, Atlanta has already recorded 50.43 inches of rain, and we still have over four months left until the year ends. While it has been wet, we have also seen an unusual occurrence of tornadoes across the U.S. Southeast that are not associated with tropical cyclones. Typically, tornadoes rarely happen during the summer months as the majority of the energy in the atmosphere stays north, across the northern United States and into Canada. With ridging and heat across the states, there is typically very little steering or wind shear associated with storms in the Southeast, and tornadoes typically never form.

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