Virginia:
Ashburn
- Gary reports at his website: "
The average wind speed was 0.7 mph and the dominant wind direction was SSE.
The average barometric pressure was 30.045". The mean relative humidity was
82%.
"
Annandale
- Lowell reports: "
September started warm and ended cool giving an average monthly mean
temperature but was much wetter than average with higher humidity and
thirteen days with measurable rain. In the last 24-years only four
Septembers have been wetter. Only 1992 and 1999 had more days with
measurable rain. The record is 15 days in 1999. The 7.80" of
rain for September was a +3.72" departure. Only two years in the
last 23-years has the precipitation total for the year been more
than the current year's total at the end of September. The 1.66"
of rain that occurred in one hour on September the 23rd was the second
most intense one hour rainfall ever recorded in September and the
third greatest rainfall ever recorded for any month. (Rain intensity
records since 1990) The 3.31" in 24-hours on the 22nd and 23rd was
the most in 24-hours since Hurricane Floyd 9-16-1999. September
had two 23-year precipitation records for the date and had two days
with more than two inches of rain. September's average sky cover
made it the fourth cloudiest September in the last 23-years and
the cloudiest since 1993 although 2000 was close.
September's mean average temperature was 67.7°F which was exactly average.
The maximum temperature for September was 85° which was a -3.7° departure.
(The highest temperature for the year was only 94° on July 5th. This is
the lowest maximum for the year since 1989 when 94° also occurred and
is also the first time since 1989 we have gone without a 95° day here for
the year.) September's average temperature range was only 13.9° the least
in the last 23-years due to the cloudiness and humid conditions of this
September. The greatest daily temperature range for the September was only
21° which tied the 23-year record of 1992 for the lowest maximum
daily temperature range. The maximum wind gust of 41 mph from the NE
occurred on the 18th at 1603 in Hurricane Isabel and was the highest wind
ever recorded here in the last 23 years in the month of September. The
lowest barometer was 29.46" on the 19th which was the lowest barometer
recorded in September since 1999 and the pressure has dropped below this
level three times in the last 23-years.
There were only 7 daily records set!
September DAILY Records Tied or Broken- (23-Years of records):
September had 2 daily LOW maximum temp records: 10, 12;
September had 3 daily LOW range temp records: 3, 12, 14;
September had 2 daily HIGH precipitation records: 18, 23.
"
[ +/- + ]
Arlington
- NWS WBC reports:
"
2.28" OF RAIN FELL ON SEPTEMBER 18TH IN ASSOCIATION WITH ISABEL.
THIS BROKE THE OLD RECORD RAINFALL FOR THE CALENDAR DAY OF 1.25"
WHICH WAS SET IN 1945. SEPTEMBER 2003 WILL GO DOWN IN THE BOOKS AS A VERY ACTIVE WEATHER MONTH.
THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE MONTH WAS TROPICAL STORM ISABEL...WHICH BROUGHT
DAMAGING WINDS...HEAVY RAIN AND INUNDATING TIDES TO THE AREA. SEVERAL DAYS
LATER DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE 23RD...A STRONG COLD FRONT
PRODUCED ANOTHER ROUND OF FLASH FLOODS IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS.
SEPTEMBER 2003 WAS THE FIFTH MONTH IN A ROW IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL THAT
FEATURED ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION. THE ONLY MONTH THIS YEAR WITH BELOW
NORMAL TOTALS WAS APRIL. THE LAST MONTH PRIOR TO THAT WITH BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL WAS SEPTEMBER 2002. RAINFALL TOTALS SO FAR THIS YEAR THROUGH
THE END OF SEPTEMBER WAS 48.35". THE NORMAL FOR THAT PERIOD IS
30.05". THE NORMAL FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR IS 39.35". THE WETTEST YEAR
IN WASHINGTON WAS IN 1889. 61.33" FELL THAT YEAR. SINCE 1970...
THERE HAVE BEEN 5 YEARS THAT FEATURED PRECIPITATION TOTALS OVER 50".
THOSE WERE
1972 - 51.97";
1983 - 51.87";
1996 - 51.02";
1975 - 50.50";
1989 - 50.32".
MEASURABLE RAIN WAS RECORDED ON 13 DAYS DURING THE MONTH. THE LONGEST
PERIOD WITH NO PRECIPITATION OCCURRED FROM THE 5TH TO THE 11TH.
THE HIGHEST WIND GUST DURING THE MONTH OCCURRED ON THE 18TH IN ASSOCIATION
WITH ISABEL...58 MPH FROM THE SOUTHEAST.
" [ - + ]
Blacksburg
- NWS Blacksburg reports the monthly mean temp was 0.1° below normal
while rainfall was 0.64" above normal. The average wind speed was 3.4
MPH. [ - + ]
Bridgewater
- "The precipitation for the month was 5.24" above normal. This
was the second wettest September in at least 39 years. Tropical storm
from Hurricane Fran in 1996 produced more rain. The temperature for
September was slightly above normal. Isabel caused a lot of damage in this
area, but not as much as in other parts of the state. I don't ever recall a coastal storm causing
this much wind for us here in the Shenandoah Valley. I estimated the wind
at 40 to 50 miles an hour, and maybe higher in gusts. Tropical storm Fran
gave us a lot more moisture, but not as much wind.
It is unusal for hurricane-related storms to come directly into our
area of Virginia. We have had two now in the last seven years.
" - report from Clayton [ M + ]
Centreville
- "
Enter Hurricane Isabel that wound up being responsible for introducing
several interesting items to report for September. The highest wind
gust of 45 mph out of the East on the 18th at 23:33, and the lowest
barometric pressure four minutes later of 29.49" are two examples of
her profound presence. Isabel also contributed 2.89" of rain on the
18th and 19th, helping to bring our year to date accumulation of
51.91" to nearly 20" over normal.
With thirteen days during September registering some sort of
precipitation coupled with other days displaying just plain strata-various,
it is noteworthy to mention that on five afternoons the average monthly
high of only 77° was recorded. Although numerous, these readings were
1.8° below the 79.0° average. While the overall monthly average
temperature was just 2.5° over the 66.5° normal, the nightly low averages
were once again among the highest so far this year. 60.8° this month
fiddled out to be a significant 6.9° above the 59.9° normal average low.
The warmest temperature during September was 86° on the 1st; the coolest
was 42° on the last.
Precipitation played an instrumental part in scoring this September
composition as well. Disregarding Isabel's 2.89", we still came in
with a rain surplus of 1.29" over the 3.99" average for a sub-total of 5.28".
On September 22nd and 23rd, three days after Isabel, we picked up
2.70" in eleven hours. That accounted for 51% of our non-hurricane
rainfall, and means that the 2.58" that fell during the remaining nine
rainy days was actually real rain while nearly 5.6" was unreal.
Happy Halloween!
" - notes from Paul [ + + ]
Charlottesville
- The monthly average temperature was 2.9° below normal while rainfall
was 1.14" below normal. The average wind speed was 5.9 mph. - from NWS WBC
[ - - ]
Chesterfield
-
-
"HURRICANE ISABEL BLOWS RIGHT THROUGH RICHMOND CAUSING MAJOR
DAMAGES, POWER OUTAGES, WATER ISSUES." - Albert sends this report [ M M ]
Danville
- The average station sea-level pressure was 30.05"
[ M M ]
Dulles
- The mean temp was 0.2° below normal. The monthly rainfall was 3.45"
above normal. Average wind speed, 6.1 mph. - from NWS WBC [ - + ]
Falls Church - "
September 2003 was a cooler and wetter than average month, a trend that
has been seen a lot this year. Isabel on the 18th brought a wind gust of
70 mph around 11pm, causing an explosion in the nearby power station
and I lost power as a result. I was without power from 11pm on the 18th
until 6:30pm on the 20th. 43 hours!!! The longest ever for me!!!! For a
brief time I also lost phone service. Isabel brought almost 2" of rain
but it was the 23rd which also brought nearly 2" of rain that caused a
small flood in my basement. By this time the ground had been so saturated.
" - report from Erica [ - + ]
Herndon
- Russ sends these note:"
The monthly temperature was 0.3° above average
and precipitation was 3.39" above average. Thunderstorms
rumbled through on the 1st and 3rd. The center of
Isabel passed about 50 miles to our west early on the
morning of the 19th, at tropical storm intensity. Isabel
held category 3 or greater intensity for many days and peaked
at category 5, before weakening and making landfall in North
Carolina. It moved quickly to the North-Northwest, limiting
rainfall over our area. Our peak wind was 47 mph, and sustained winds
remained in the 20-30 mph range for most of the night on the 18-19th.
This caused widespread power outages as trees
toppled out of our already soaked soil. Record daily rainfall
of 2.16" fell on the 18th, during Isabel.
" - [ + + ]
Herndon
- Bob notes: "
My average MAX temp was 4.2° below the Dulles "normal"
but the average MIN was 3.4° above. Precip was almost 200%
of "normal." Power was out during the lowest pressure; uncertain.
Dulles is about 4 miles WSW and its normal is the 1971-2000 average.
" - [ - + ]
Hampton
- "
OF COURSE, THE EVENT OF THE MONTH OR FOR THAT MATTER THE LAST 150 YEARS
WAS ISABEL. THE LANDFALL AND TRACK WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS FOR HAMPTON
ROADS AND EASTERN VIRGINIA. RECORD SUSTAINED WINDS OF 67 MPH AND A
GUST OF 92 OCCURRED AT 530PM ON 9/18. A RECORD LOW BARO PRESSURE OF
29.20 ALSO OCCURRED ON THE 18. RECORD 8 FOOT TIDE (TYING HAZEL AND
ONLY THIRD TO ASH WEDNESDAY AND 1933) OCCURRED AT 3:30PM
RAINFALL- DAILY RECORD OF 4.50 INCHES. POWER WAS OUT AT MY STATION FOR
9 DAYS AND IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS FOR PARTS OF HAMPTON. TIDAL FLOODING
SPOILED MANY HOMES, SOME NOT FLOODED SINCE BEING BUILT IN THE 1960'S.
OVER 4,000 HOMES WERE DAMAGED AND 60 COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WERE LOOTED.
TREE AND DEBRIS REMOVAL AND REPAIRS WILL EXCEED 100 MILLION DOLLARS.
MY MOTHER TALKED ABOUT HAZEL (1954) AND THE 1933 HURRICANE SHE EXPERIENCED
AS A CHILD. THE DAMAGE WAS COMPARABLE TO BOTH STORMS AND IN MANY RESPECTS,
MUCH WORSE DUE TO OUR RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRIC POWER. THE ISSUES
OF WATER SAFETY AND SECURITY AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES POST STORM
NEED TO BE STUDIED CAREFULLY.
"
- notes from David Kessel [ M M ]
Herndon
- "
The monthly temperature was 2.2° below average,
precipitation was 7.23" above average. We received a
record 5.18" of rain on the 19th, which fell overnight
in a 3-hour period.
We had thunder on the 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 19th,
and 27th. The numbers speak for themselves. June was
even wetter than May! We had numerous flood and flash
flood watches and warnings."
- notes from Russ [ - + ]
Louisa
- "
What can I say? It was wet and windy for a bit here.
I spent most of the hurricane out in it clearing trees
and blocking roads that had wires down. Our firehouse
and about one block around it had electricity. Never
lost it! Hope all is well down in your neck of the woods."
- report from Joe
Lynchburg
- Rainfall for the month was 3.25" above normal while the mean temp was
1.1° below normal. The average wind speed was 4.2 MPH.
The average sea level pressure was 30.07".
- from NWS Blacksburg
[ - + ]
New Market
-
"
Our immediate area was not hit too hard from Hurricane Isabel. We were ready
because they said it was following the same path as Hurricane Fran.
We got wiped out on that one. This time Isabel turned more north and
that saved us. We only lost power. We had , personally, moved everything
we could upstairs and than waited. We are very thankful we did not get
hit for the second time and so sorry for the ones who did. Mother Nature
can be very hard on us mortals..." - notes from Joyce Winfree, who is celebrating
her 53rd anniversary in marriage.
- [ M + ]
Norfolk
- NWS AKQ noted the average temperature in Norfolk was 2.0° above normal.
The month's rainfall was 5.48" above normal. The average wind speed was 10.9 mph.
The average relative humidity 74%."
- [ + + ]
Norfolk
- The Fred Heutte Center, in Historic
Ghent, noted a mean barometer reading of 30.060". The mean relative humidity
was 83%. The average wind speed was 5 mph from a dominant W direction.
Portsmouth
-
Hurricane Isabel was the headliner. Haven't seen a storm like this in my lifetime.
Storm brought strong winds to 70 mph with steady 55 mph winds on the 18th that
moved a leaning 50' cedar tree to the perpendicular. Nice to have that tree
straightened; but unfortunately this resulted in ground caving in under the root
system and the tree had to be removed. Many neighborhood trees (oaks and pines)
fell, sadly some on and through houses. Many trees were primed for falling as
the year's excessive rainfall across SE VA rendered the ground saturated before
the tropical system arrived. Power was out for 11 days, phone for 3,
and broadband Internet/cable for 12 days! Dial-up using telephone lines allowed the station
to get back "online" on the 3rd day of the event. Good test
for the backup generator which worked flawlessly. Minor flooding outside the station (SE Portsmouth)
but extensive flooding in northern Portsmouth, close to the harbor and the James
River with 8' tidal flooding there. The Mid-town Tunnel, connecting Portsmouth
with Norfolk, filled with water after flood gates failed to close, closing the
span for nearly one month. Considerable political fallout resulted.
Early in the event winds were from the
NE but veered to the SE in mid-afternoon through early evening on the 18th. This wind shift
produced the extensive damage and stronger winds. NWS reports of two tornadoes
from 3 to 10 miles NE of the station. Steady rains totaling 4.08" established
a new record rainfall for the 18th (4.05") and was the wettest day of the year so far.
An extremely low barometer to 29.15" noted (but not as low [28.52"] as that of the March 13, 1993
low pressure moving from the Gulf of Mexico NNE along the Appalachians)- Temps
were slightly above normal (+0.1°) and rainfall was 201% of the norm or +4.89"
Winds averaged 3.31 mph from a dominant direction of 118°.
Station daily records included:
10TH - TEMPERATURE MINIMUM MAXIMUM 73° [PREVIOUSLY 76° 1982];
11TH - TEMPERATURE TIED MINIMUM MAXIMUM 76° [PREVIOUSLY 1995];
12TH - PRECIPITATION 2.42" [PREVIOUSLY 0.50" 1987];
18TH - PRECIPITATION 4.05" [PREVIOUSLY 0.33" 2000];
18TH - WIND GUST TIED 70 MPH [PREVIOUSLY MARCH 13, 1993];
28TH - PRECIPITATION 0.56" [PREVIOUSLY 0.43" 1997].
The average barometric pressure was 30.040".
The average relative humidity was 79% and the average sky
cover was 43.2%.
For the year-to-date, the temperature average was 0.8° below normal while rainfall
is running 15.30" above normal (140%).
[ + + ]
Richmond
- NWS AKQ reported the mean temp at RIC was 0.2° above normal. Rainfall
was a whopping 6.14" above normal. The average wind speed was 7.6 mph. The average relative
humidity was 80% while the average sky cover was 50%. [ + + ]
Mechanicsville
- Glenn notes: "
Hurricane Isabel wreaked havoc over the states of Virginia and North Carolina.
My power was off for 8 days. I had trees down but luckily no damage to the house.
This storm is one to remember. A tornado moved through the area on the morning
of the 18th causing more damage. Very heavy rain accompanied the storm, dumping
0.94" of rain in about a thirty-minute period.
"
New Market
- Joyce reports: "
Temperatures and rainfall are above normal for August even with only
sprinkles since the 11th of the month. Been very hot and dry since the
12th."
[ + + ]
Newport News
- Gary notes:"
Hurricane on the 18th left me with no power for 5
days. Damage amounted to losing my front yard
shade tree. Thankfully, it fell in the street
and not on the house. It came down at 4:55PM when
I recorded my max. gust of 61MPH.
"
[ M + ]
Roanoke
- Wendell sends these notes:"
Isabel was no more than a minor nor'easter here. Rainfall of 1.63" and a peak
wind of 14 mph from the north on the 19th. Top wind of 23 mph from Isabel but well
to the north. Temps for September were 0.6° below normal and rainfall was 1.19"
above normal. Lowest pressure from Isabel was 29.40".
"
- [ - + ]
Roanoke
- NWS Blacksburg reports that the Roanoke airport monthly mean temp was 1.0° below normal.
Rainfall was 0.84" above normal. The average
wind speed was 5.4 mph. The average sea-level pressure was 30.07"."
[ - + ]
Woodstock
- "
Wet (5th/18th) and cool (5-6 of 18). We seem to get the remnants of a
tropical disturbance about every three years. Isabel produced somewhat
less rain than most, but the winds on 19th and 20th did a fair amount of
damage, and our power was out for a couple of days, which is unusual for
us. Normal precipitation in the last quarter of the year will probably
give us the second wettest in 18 years. The average precip for
1960-2002 is about 3/4" more than shown in the Virginia
Weather Atlas as average for 1950-70.
" - notes from Lauck [ +/- +/- ]
North
Carolina:
Asheville
- from NWS GSP: The monthly mean temp was 0.5° below normal and the
rainfall was 0.71" below normal. The average wind speed was 3.9 mph.
[ - - ]
Charlotte
- NWS GSP reports the mean temp here was 1.7° below normal and precip
was 6.63" above normal. The average wind speed was 3.9 mph.
- [ - + ]
Elizabeth
City - The Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station [ECG] reported an average
wind speed of 10.6 mph. The mean temp was 0.1° above normal while rainfall
was 2.51" above normal. The average relative humidity was 80%. - from NWS AKQ [ + + ]
Fayetteville
- NWS RDU reports the average wind speed was 7.5 mph. The average relative humidity
was 73%.
Cape Hatteras -
"
The average temperature in September 2003 was 75.1°. This was -0.4° cooler
than the 1895-2003 average, the 44th coolest September on record (1895-2003).
3.94" of precipitation fell in September. This was -1.42" less than the
1895-2003 average, the 48th driest such month on record (1895-2003)."
- from NCDC [ - - ]
Greensboro
- NWS RDU notes a mean temp here that was 1.0° below normal. Rainfall was
3.60" above normal. The average wind speed was 4.6 mph. The monthly sky cover
average was 50%. NEW DAILY PRECIPITATION RECORDS ON THE 18TH AND 23. ON THE
18TH 2.28" FELL SURPASSING THE OLD RECORD 0.99" IN 1971. ON THE 23RD THE OLD RECORD
WAS 1.38 IN 1946. NEW TOTAL WAS 1.71".
- [ - + ]
Hickory
- The average wind speed was 3.3 mph. The average monthly temperature was 1.7°
below normal while rainfall was 1.83" below normal - from NWS GSP [ - - ]
Lumberton
- The average wind speed was 6.6 mph. The average monthly temperature was 0.1°
above normal while rainfall was 1.70" above normal - from NWS ILM [ + + ]
Raleigh
-
NWS RDU reports the average daily temperatures were 1.3° below normal while
precipitation was 0.21" above normal. The average wind speed
was 6.0 mph. The average sky cover was 50%. NEW DAILY PRECIPITATION RECORD of 0.93"
ON THE 23RD. OLD RECORD WAS 0.77" SET IN 1975." - [ - + ]
Raleigh
- Bob sends these notes: "
Hurricane Isabel was the story for September. A number of trees were lost
in Raleigh, but nothing in comparison to Hurricane Fran in September 1996.
Raleigh was on the southern side (weaker side) of the circulation;
therefore winds and rainfall was coming off the land versus a fetch
off the Atlantic. Minimum pressure recorded was 28.93" and a peak wind
gust of 39 mph. Even with Hurricane Isabel, rainfall for September was
actually below normal. No severe weather was observed at this station
during September except with the passage of Hurricane Isabel.
" - [ M - ]
Roxboro
- Merriell reports: "
Although September temperatures varied from warm to chilly, the averages were
near normal. Rainfall was almost 3" above normal. A wind gust of 63 mph occurred
on the 18th. Both above normal rainfall and peak wind gust resulted from Hurricane Isabel.
" - [ + + ]
Wilmington
- From NWS ILM: The average temp was 2.2° below normal while rainfall
was a 1.04" below normal. The average wind speed was 7.8 mph.
- [ + - ]
South
Carolina:
Anderson
- NWS GSP reports the monthly mean temp was 0.6° below normal.
Rainfall was 2.48" below normal. The average wind speed was 5.1 mph. -
[ - - ]
Charleston
- NWS CHS reports the monthly mean temp was 1.5° below normal. Rainfall
was 1.52" below normal. The average wind speed was 7.7 mph. - [ - - ]
Columbia
- NWS CAE reports that the mean temp here was 1.8° below normal. Rainfall
was a 0.34" above normal. The average wind speed was 4.4 mph. -
[ + + ]
Florence
- The mean temp here was 1.6° below normal while rainfall totals were
2.82" below normal. The average wind speed was 6.4 mph. - from NWS ILM
[ + - ]
Greenville-Spartanburg
- The monthly mean temperature was 0.7° below normal while rainfall
was 2.25" below normal. The average wind speed was 4.7 mph. - from NWS
GSP [ - - ]
North
Myrtle Beach - The mean temp was 1.0° above normal while rainfall
was 3.21" below normal. The average wind speed was 6.2 mph.
A record low temperature was set on the 30th with 48° surpassing the previous
record of 51° set in 1951.
" - NWS ILM [ + - ]
Orangeburg
- NWS CAE reports the average wind speed here was 5.2 mph.
Nearby
Cities:
Tri-Cities
-
Total rainfall in September was well above normal across the area.
While the number of rainy days were limited, significant rain fell on
several of these days. Tri-Cities has almost broken the record for
rainfall in a single year, and there are still three months left in the
year. So far this year (January 1 to September 30), Tri Cities has
received 54.16" of rainfall, which has nearly broken the record annual
rainfall total of 54.50 inches set in 1950. The old record should be
exceeded in October. Tri-Cities received 5.29" of rain during September,
which was 2.21" above normal. It was the 5th wettest September on
record at Tri-Cities. Measurable rain occurred on only eight days,
but over an inch fell on three of those days. The heaviest rain fell on the
22nd when 1.25" was recorded. The wettest September at Tri-Cities was
back in 1972, when 7.09" fell.
The average monthly temperature at Tri-Cities was 65.8°, which was 0.8°
below normal. It tied with 1994 as the 13th coolest September on record
at Tri-Cities. No daily records were broken. The coolest September
at Tri-Cities was back in 1967, when the average temperature was 62.6°.
- from NWS MRX [ - + ]
