The Atlantic Coast Observer Network - Virginia/North Carolina/South Carolina
http://members.cox.net/wxr/acon.htm

SUMMARY OF CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA 


SEPTEMBER 2009


...AVERAGE TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES VARY CONSIDERABLY;
BUT THE AVERAGE OF ALL STATIONS IS CLOSE TO NORMAL...
...EXCEPT IN COASTAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE THREE-STATE REGION,
MOST AREAS ARE DRIER THAN NORMAL...


  
  • NEW CONTRIBUTING STATION IN BLACKSBURG (BLK)   Virginia Tech student Andrew Earehart joins our network this month. Here's some info he sent along recently: "My name is Andrew Earehart, and I'm currently a junior at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. I'm majoring in geography with a concentration in meteorology, and I plan to further my meteorology studies later at the graduate level. I live outside of Blacksburg a little ways, ten minutes north of campus and about twenty minutes from the airport. I use the Oregon Scientific WMR80, which unfortunately has limited data collection features and makes it difficult for me to collect monthly data for more than just temperature and rainfall data. However I am a huge weather geek and will do my best to provide accurate data!"


  • EL NIņO TO PLAY A ROLE IN THIS UPCOMING WINTER'S WEATHER (from the CoCoRaHS website)   El Niņo in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean is expected to be a dominant climate factor that will influence the December through February winter weather in the United States, according to the 2009 Winter Outlook released by NOAAs Climate Prediction Center: "2009 Winter Outlook". Such seasonal outlooks are part of NOAAs suite of climate services.

    Most years around Christmas, a warm current of tropical water temporarily replaces the cold water that normally exists off the west coast of Peru. Local residents refer to this warming as El Niņo (Spanish for boy child), referring to the Christ child. Usually, the warming lasts approximately a month or two. However, every few years, the ocean warming can last many months and is linked to a warming of sea surface temperatures across a large part of the tropical Pacific ocean. Because changes in sea surface temperatures over such a large region can affect the overlying atmosphere and the position of the jet stream, the weather is affected by El Niņo in regions around the world.

    In the US, the greatest impacts occur in the winter time: the Pacific northwest is often warm and dry while the southern tier of states are cool and moist. The in-between states often do not see much of a influence from El Niņo. During La Niņa, when there is apersistent cooling of east Pacific sea surface temperatures, the Pacific northwest tends to be cool and moist while the southern states are warm and dry.

    To learn more about El Niņo, visit: El Niņo

  • AUTUMN LEAVES (from the CoCoRaHS website)   Autumn Leaves "The falling leaves drift by the window. The autumn leaves of red and gold..." Some of you will remember the old classic song by Johnny Mercer "Autumn Leaves". It's that time of year again when the leaves in many parts of the country begin to take on color, the nights are cooler and the pumpkins adorn the porches of many homes. Have you ever thought to yourself "Why do the leaves change color?" The US Forest Service has put together a nice web site explaining just that at: "Forest Service Leaves". ( http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/misc/autumn/autumn_colors.htm ) Or ever wondered "Does precipitation play a role in leaf color?" "The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling," says University of Kentucky agricultural meteorologist Tom Priddy. "Temperature and moisture are the main influences. The countless combinations of these two highly variable factors assure that no two autumns can be exactly alike." And if you are just trying to find out where the leaves are turning during a certain week or in a certain place in the country, the Foliage Report Network: "Foliage Network" keeps track of leaf colors in the eastern half of the country and the US Forest Service keeps you advised on fall colors throughout the US at: "Fall Colors". ( http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors/ )


  • DROUGHT MONITOR    http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html    More information on drought can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center http://www.drought.noaa.gov/

  • REMINDER All National Weather Service station data listed herein is preliminary and may be subject to change.  The data has not been certified and cannot be used in legal actions.  Only reports certified by the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC can be used for these purposes.

    • ACON VA/NC/SC Member Station Extremes - SEPTEMBER 2009
    State
    Maximum Temperature
    Minimum
    Temperature
    Warmest
    Average
    Temperature
    Coldest
    Average
    Temperature
    Maximum
    Precipitation
    Minimum
    Precipitation
    Virginia
    91°
    Danville
    41°
    New Market
    71.6°
    Norfolk (FHC)
    63.6°
    Blacksburg (BCB)
    8.83"
    Portsmouth
    1.64"
    Ladysmith
    North Carolina
    91°
    Lumberton
    Raleigh (RDU & RAL)
    45°
    Charlotte
    74.4°
    Cape Hatteras
    66.9°
    Asheville
    13.88"
    Beaufort
    0.96"
    Fayetteville
    South Carolina
    93°
    Florence
    Orangeburg
    46°
    Anderson
    76.6°
    Charleston
    71.9°
    Greenville-Spartanburg
    5.61"
    Columbia
    0.48"
    Charleston


    ( For an explanation of column headers in the following tables,
    please note the column denotations table below. )

    TEMPERATURE / WINDS/ ELEMENTS

    VIRGINIA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
    
     STN  A      B    C     C1     D    E  F    G    H  I  J K K1  L  M      N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1 S   CWA
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     BCB 73.3  53.9  63.6   +0.6  84   24  43   30   0  0  0 0 83% 35 290°  28   3.5       1 0 0 0 24 2400 AKQ
     BLK 72.5  54.8  63.7   +0.7  83 5,24  45   30   0  0  0 0                                        2400 RNK
     BRI 74.3  57.3  65.9   -0.23 85   24  45   30   0  0  0 0 62%                         0 0 0 0  0 0510/1600 LWX
     CEN 74.8  58.6  66.7   +0.2  85   23  49   29   0  0  0 0 67% 25 309° 11,14 1.8  315° 0 0 0 0  1 2400 LWX
     CHT 76.8  59.1  67.9   +0.1  87.7 23  48.6 29   0  0  0 0 78% 23 180°  28   0.3  360° 0 0 0 0  1 2400 LWX
     CHO 76.5  57.0  66.8         87   24  47 2,30   0  0  0 0     30 180°  28   3.2       0 0 0 0  3 2400 LWX
     DAN 80.9  59.0  69.9   -0.5  91 15,24 46   30   3  0  0 0 72% 39 310°  19   4.6       1 0 0 0  4 2400 RNK
     DCA 77.9  62.5  70.2   -0.3  87 5,23  54 29,30  0  0  0 0 66% 37 200°  28   7.7       1 0 0 0  0 2400 LWX
     IAD 77.9  58.9  68.4   +1.1  89   23  48 29,30  0  0  0 0 67% 38 190°  28   6.0       0 0 0 0  1 2400 LWX
     FCH 77.4  60.7  69.1         88    5  50    2   0  0  0 0     24       29             0 0      0 2400 LWX
     FRV                                                                                              2400 LWX
     GAV 78.67 59.77 69.22        89   24  51   29   0  0  0 0 76% 31 225°  28             0 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     HAM                                                                                              2400 AKQ
     HDV 76.0  58.0  67.0   +2.0  86 5,23  48   30   0  0  0 0 75%                         0 0 0 0  0 2400 LWX
     LDY 75.9  60.7  67.7   -2.3  85   24  52   29   0  0  0 0 63%                         0 0 0 0  1 2400 AKQ
     LYH 77.4  56.1  66.8   -0.3  90   24  42   30   1  0  0 0 73% 30 190°  28   4.5       0 0 0 0  4 2400 RNK
     NEW 75.66 53.20 64.43  -1.5  90   23  41    2   1  0  0 0 60% 30 270°  28  14.7  225° 0        4 1700 LWX
     NPN 78.8  62.3  69.9   -2.1  90.4 24  52.5 20   1  0  0 0     29 293°  28   3.1  135° 2 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     NOR 78.1  63.8  70.9   -0.8  87   24  52   30   0  0  0 0                             1 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     ORF 77.0  65.2  71.1   -1.0  87   24  56   29   0  0  0 0 75% 41 050°  10   8.6       3 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     FHC 77.69 65.51 71.60  -0.5  87.0 24  55.9 30   0  0  0 0 83% 30 045°  10   2.0  023°            2400 AKQ
     POR 77.4  63.9  70.6   -1.9  87   24  51   30   0  0  0 0 86% 32 045°   8   4.6  031° 3 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     CTR 78.2  58.2  67.0   -2.8  89.3 24  46.2 29   0  0  0 0 82% 13 180°  28   0.1  110° 1 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     MEC 72.69 59.80 67.03        84  5,6, 50   21   0  0  0 0                             0 0 0 0  0 1700 AKQ
                                        21
     RIC 79.6  60.3  69.9   +0.1  90   24  52   30   1  0  0 0 70% 36 250°  28   6.3       1 0 0 0  1 2400 AKQ
     ROA 77.8  59.7  68.8   +1.1  87   24  48   30   0  0  0 0 69% 43 280°  28   4.4       0 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     WAL 75.7  61.6  68.7   +0.2  87   24  49   20   0  0  0 0     45 340°  11   9.0       0 0 0 0  0 2400 AKQ
     WOO 72.7  59.2  65.9   -0.9  86   24  52 2,30   0  0  0 0                             1 0 0 0  3 2400 LWX
     WSH 74.4  57.8  66.1   -0.44 84.6 15  47.0 29   0  0  0 0 83% 13 068°  11   0.5  203° 0 0 0 0  0 2400 LWX
    NORTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]     
        
     STN  A      B    C     C1    D    E  F      G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N    N1   N2  O P Q R R1 S    CWA
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     AVL 74.8  58.9  66.9  +1.2  82 24,25 48 28,30  0  0  0 0 79% 35 310° 28    3.3      2 0 0 0 10 2400 GSP
     MRH 79.8  66.5  73.1        86 16,25 54    30  0  0  0 0     36 220° 28    7.7      4 1 0 0  1 2400 MHX
     CLT 81.6  61.7  71.7  -1.0  89     5 45    30  0  0  0 0 70% 29 230° 28    5.6      1 0 0 0  1 2400 GSP
     ECG 81.1  65.0  73.1  -0.2  89    24 51    30  0  0  0 0 71% 33 350° 10    8.4      3 0 0 0  3 2400 AKQ
     FAY 83.7  63.3  73.5        90 25,28 51    30  3  0  0 0 70% 31 220° 28    6.2      1 0 0 0  1 2400 RAH
     GSO 78.7  61.2  69.9  +0.1  88     5 48    29  0  0  0 0 71% 49 310° 28    5.7      2 0 0 0  4 2400 RAH
     HSE 79.4  69.3  74.4  -0.4  86 22,23 57    30  0  0  0 0 80% 45 170° 27    7.9      0 0 0 0  1 2400 MHX
     HKY 77.6  60.8  69.2  -0.7  86     5 46    30  0  0  0 0     37 010°  8    3.0      2 0 0 0  6 2400 GSP
     LBT 84.1  63.0  73.6  +1.5  91 15,25 47    30  3  0  0 0 74% 30 020° 25    5.2      3 0 0 0  1 2400 ILM
                                                                  30 230° 28
     EWN 80.3  64.0  72.1  -2.3  88    24 51    30  0  0  0 0 80  25 140° 26    5.9      1 0 0 0  6 2400 MHX
     RDU 80.9  60.8  70.8  -0.4  91    15 47    30  2  0  0 0 71% 44 340°  4    5.0      2 0 0 0  1 2400 RAH
     RAL 80.5  59.9  70.2  -1.0  91     5 47 29,30  1  0  0 0     18                     2 0 0 0  0 2400 RAH
     ROX 78.7  59.1  69.1  +0.5  89    14 49.0  29  0  0  0 0 76% 33 360° 28        090° 1 0 0 0  2 2400 RAH
     ILM 81.8  65.2  73.5  -1.5  89    25 52    30  0  0  0 0 74% 30 090° 26    6.5      4 0 0 0  1 2400 ILM
    SOUTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]     
       
     STN  A      B    C     C1    D    E  F      G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1 S    CWA
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     AND 81.4  63.6  72.5  +0.3  89   5,6 46    30  0  0  0 0     35 260° 28   4.8       5 1 0 0  1 2400 GSP
     CAE 85.0  65.7  75.4  +0.7  92    35 48    30  2  0  0 0 70% 32 250° 28   4.8       0 0 0 0  0 2400 CAE
     CRE 84.7  67.6  76.1  +1.9  88 25,28 54    30  0  0  0 0 69% 31 220° 27   6.4       3 0 0 0  0 2400 ILM
     CHS 85.5  67.7  76.6  +0.5  92    25 52    30  1  0  0 0     31 250° 27   6.7       2 0 0 0  0 2400 CHS
     FLO 84.9  63.9  74.4  -0.3  93    25 48    30  2  0  0 0 71% 35 250° 28   6.0       0 0 0 0  1 2400 ILM
     GSP 80.6  63.1  71.9  +0.5  90     5 47    29  1  0  0 0 74% 41 030°  9   5.1       5 0 0 0  2 2400 GSP
     OGB 86.8  64.9  75.9        93    25 48    30  9  0  0 0     31 240° 28   4.6       2 0 0 0  3 2400 CAE
    NEARBY STATIONS
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]     
       
     STN  A      B    C     C1    D     E  F     G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1   S    CWA
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TRI 78.4  58.5  68.5  +1.9   86  5,24 45   30  0  0  0 0     44 230°  9   2.3       5 1 0 0  4   2400 MRX
     DAV              57   -1.0   77    24 41   30  0  0  0 0                                         0700 PBZ

    (Please note the column denotations table below.)
    PRECIPITATION / BAROMETRIC PRESSURE

    VIRGINIA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
     STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y      Z  1   2 3    4    5     6   6A   7    7A    8    S
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     BCB  2.33  -1.06 1.74 26 1.74    26  9 1 38.74  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 19.1                             2400
     BLK  2.25  -1.14 1.55 26             9 1                                                           2400
     BRI  3.04  -0.56 1.48 26 1.98 26-27  7 1 26.37  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  9.5  30.31   2 29.70  28        0510/1600
     CEN  1.95  -1.52 1.00 26 1.23 23-24  6 1 32.16  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.7  30.32  20 29.47  18 29.90  2400
     CHT  2.21  -1.61 1.03 26 1.08 26-27 10 1 34.66  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  7.1  30.339 20 29.446 28 30.081 2400
     CHO  4.22        1.57 26 1.59 26-27 10 1 28.76                          30.33  20 29.47  28        2400
     DAN  2.38  -1.70 1.65 26 1.70 26-27  9 1 31.49  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  4.5  30.30  20 29.49  28        2400
     DCA  3.31  -0.48 1.40 26 1.61 26-27 12 1 29.97  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  7.5            29.44  28        2400
     IAD  1.83  -1.99 1.03 26 1.10 26-27 10 1 33.00  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  5.5  30.34  20 29.45  28        2400
     FCH  2.74        1.25 26 1.48 26-27      30.25  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  9.5                             2400
     FRV                                                                                                2400
     GAV  2.50        0.69 27 1.35 27-28  9 0 30.62  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 11.6  30.32  20 29.49  28 30.07  2400
     HAM                                                                                                2400 
     HDV  2.01  -2.78 0.99 26            10 0 34.51  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.5  30.30  20 29.40  28        2400
     LDY  1.64  -1.75 0.97 26 1.26 26-27  4 0 23.63  0.0  0   0 0  0.3 10.4  30.35  20 29.50  28 30.09  2400
     LYH  2.17  -1.71 1.82 26 1.83 26-27  8 1 28.85  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 11.2  30.33  20 29.51  28        2400
     NEW  2.00  -1.55         0.59    26                                                                1700 
     NPN  6.62  +1.78 2.10  8 3.57   7-8  8 3 43.59  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  2.0  30.32  20 29.50  28        2400
     NOR  6.81  +1.49 3.36  8             9 2 51.90  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.5                             2400
     ORF  7.77  +3.71 3.54  8 5.13   7-8 10 2 44.27  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.5  30.31  20 29.52  28        2400
     FHC  8.58  +4.52                    10 2 44.90  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.5                      30.031 2400
     POR  8.83  +3.93 5.72  8 5.79   7-8 13 2 48.83  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.7  30.30  20 29.51  28 30.034 2400
     CTR  7.16  +3.61 3.48 25 3.48    25 12 1 33.20  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.5  30.31  20 29.47  28 30.053 2400
     MEC  2.50        1.20 12 1.20    12  4 2 28.86  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 10.6  30.06  20 29.29  28 29.82  0700
     RIC  2.46  -1.52 0.62 26 0.99 26-27  9 0 25.48  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  6.6  30.35  20 29.49  28        2400
     ROA  3.14  -0.71 2.23 26 2.24 25-26  9 1 35.43  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  4.0  30.34  20 29.54  28        2400
     WAL  7.85  +4.35 3.24 11 5.90 10-11 10 2 34.86  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  7.9  30.33  20 29.50  28        2400
     WOO  2.27  -1.48         1.36 27-28 10 1 31.09  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  9.6  30.52   2 29.85  28        0800
     WSH  2.72  -3.31 1.25 26 1.33 26-27  8 1 33.02  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 10.2  30.36   2 29.51  28        2400
    NORTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
     STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y      Z    1 2 3   4    5     6    6A   7    7A    8     S
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     AVL  8.17  +4.45 3.27 20 3.30 20-21 12 3 42.21   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  4.7  30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     MRH 13.88        7.89  7 7.89     7  8 4 41.75   0.0   0 0 0  0.0    T  30.25  20 29.64  28         2400
     CLT  1.67  -2.16 1.55 19 0.94 19-20  9 0 32.47   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  4.0  30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     ECG  3.02  -2.05 0.95  7 1.02   7-8  8 0 37.65   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  0.8  30.30  20 29.55  28         2400
     FAY  0.96        0.27 25 0.25 25-26  9 0 22.97                0.0                 29.53  28         2400
     GSO  4.07  -0.23 1.64 26 1.67 26-27  8 1 29.33   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  6.9            29.53  28         2400
     HSE 13.18  +7.50 5.50  8 7.55   7-8 10 3 39.44   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  2.3  30.27  20 29.63  28         2400
     HKY  5.15  +0.91 1.56 25 1.83 25-26 12 2 37.54   0.0   0 0 0  0.0   T   30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     LBT  1.80  -2.81 1.32 23 1.32    23  2 1 22.75                          30.25  20 29.60  28         2400
     EWN  3.59  -1.86 2.45  7 2.45     7  9 1 36.66   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  1.5  30.28  20 29.61  28         2400
     RDU  3.35  -0.91 1.45 22 1.59 22-23  9 1 26.33   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  6.7            29.53  28         1900
     RAL  5.64  +1.38         2.26 21-22 10+2 35.12   0.0   0 0 0  0.0 10.1  30.29  20 29.53  28         2400
     ROX  2.78  -0.71 0.67 28 0.67    28 12 0 35.99   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  8.3  30.34  20 29.54  28   30.11 2200
     ILM  8.84  +2.05 3.55 22 3.93 22-23 10 4 43.38   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  1.0  29.95  30 29.85             2400
    SOUTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
     STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y     Z   1  2 3  4     5     6    6A   7    7A    8     S
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
     AND  5.33  -1.14 1.46 26  1.46    26  9 2 35.09  0.0  0 0 0   0.0    T  30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     CAE  5.61  -1.67 2.52 17  2.67 17-18  8 1 34.24  0.0  0 0 0   0.0    T  30.21  20 29.66  28         2400
     CRE  2.67  -2.91 1.78 23  2.22 22-23  7 1 28.35                         30.22  30 29.66  28         2400
     CHS  0.48  -5.50 0.20 23  0.20    23  4 0 45.59  0.0  0 0 0   0.0    T            29.70  28         2400
     FLO  0.90  -2.77 0.70 22  0.73 22-23  6 0 26.06                         30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     GSP  5.52  +1.55 2.26 15  2.60 25-26 10 2 34.21  0.0  0 0 0   0.0  4.4  30.22  20 29.62  28         2400
     OGB  1.87        0.98 18  0.98    18  5 0 31.73                         30.21  20 29.69  28         2400
    NEARBY STATIONS
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
     STN  T      T1     U  U1   V      V1  W X   Y      Z  1  2  3   4     5     6   6A   7    7A 8      S
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TRI  4.98  +1.90 2.06 26 2.35 25-26 14 1 34.73  0.0   0  0  0   0.0   8.3 30.23  2 29.67  28        2400
     DAV  2.4   -2.0  1.01 27            12 1 47.6   0.0   0  0  0   0.0 189.0                           0700

    Virginia:

    Arlington - From NWS WBC come these notes: " THE AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR NORMAL...ONLY THE THIRD SEPTEMBER SINCE 2001 WHERE THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR OR BELOW AVERAGE. WASHINGTON DC DID NOT REACH 90F DURING THE ENTIRE MONTH... THE FIRST SEPTEMBER SINCE 2006 THAT DID NOT HIT 90F. RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH WAS SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL. DCA HAS MEASURED DRIER THAN NORMAL PRECIPITATION EVERY MONTH SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008... EXCEPT FOR THE WETTER THAN NORMAL SPRING MONTHS OF APRIL-MAY-JUNE OF 2009- HALF OF THE MONTHLY SEPTEMBER RAINFALL OCCURRED WITH AN EARLY FALL STORM SYSTEM THAT BROUGHT 1.63 INCHES OF RAIN DURING A 24-HOUR PERIOD FROM THE 26-27TH. " [ + - ] 

    Blacksburg - " Nothing much to note, except that the month was a little more moderate than normal with average highs and lows being lower and higher than normal respectively, with an overall average temperature of 0.7 degrees above normal. Also, the month would have been very dry, maybe a top 5 all-time dry September, if not for the 25th and 26th, where we picked up a total of 1.75", 1.55" of which fell on the 26th. - [ + - ] - notes from newcomer Andrew in Blacksburg

    Bridgewater - " The last part of the summer saw very few thunderstorms. In fact, I have recorded only one in the last three months. There were none in the last two months in Bridgewater. According to my memory, this should be some kind of record. In spite of several dry spells, the grass has remained fairly green. - [ - - ] - Clayton sent these additional notes

    Centreville - " Much to the disappointment of the Sunny Centreville Surfboard Society, we experienced the second least amount of average rainfall so far this year. With just 1.95", or 56% of our normal 3.47" standing in the bucket, we only have to look back to February when a dismal 7% of normal was all we collected. Temperatures for September were in a state of transition from a moderate summer to finish with a feeling of fall. At no time did we even get a peek of ninety degrees for the month with 85° being the maximum recorded and seven other days registering just in the low eighty's. The highest temperature was 99° observed in 1983. The average monthly high temperature worked out to be 74.8°; over five degrees cooler than the 79° high average. While the average monthly temperature was just 0.2° above the 66.5° figure, the nighttime lows once again were on the warm side. A tepid 58.6° average low for September worked its way on to our data sheet, that being 4.7° above the usual 53.9°. This was slightly warmer than the +4.1° nighttime deviation for 2009. The lowest temperature for this September was 49° on the 29th. The lack of rainfall in September kept most of us close to shore with 1.95" of rain accounted for. This was 1.52" shy of our 3.47" normal and the third month in a row since June when we have logged a 3.50" deficit off the average for the period. Year-to-date we are now on the negative side by an alarming 0.04". Apparently it's time to pull down the ceremonial headdress from storage and begin practicing bucket tip two-step. " - [ + - ] - additional notes from the irrepressible Paul

    Chantilly - Notes from Russ: September was dry with average temperatures. The total precipitation for the month was 2.21", which was 1.61" below normal. Of note was the absence of thunderstorms and the lack of a single day reaching 90°. A record low high temperature was set on the 11th (66.5°) and a record high low on the 24th (70.9°). Dense fog was observed on the 27th. *Please note, anemometer is currently partially obstructed from the Southeast " - [ + - ]

    Dulles - from NWS Sterling (KLWX) come these notes: " TEMPERATURES WERE ABOVE NORMAL...MAINLY DUE TO THE LOW TEMPERATURE BEING WELL ABOVE NORMAL. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DID NOT REACH 90F DURING THE ENTIRE MONTH...THE FIRST SEPTEMBER SINCE 2006 NOT TO SEE 90F AT DULLES. RAINFALL FOR SEPTEMBER WAS WELL BELOW NORMAL...TOTALING NEARLY HALF OF THE NORMAL MONTHLY RAINFALL. AN EARLY FALL STORM SYSTEM BROUGHT 1.10 INCHES OF RAINFALL DURING THE 24-HOUR PERIOD FROM THE 26-27TH...WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT THREE-FIFTHS OF THE MONTHLY RAINFALL. DULLES HAS REPORTED DRIER THAN NORMAL CONDITIONS EVERY MONTH SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008...EXCLUDING THE WETTER THAN NORMAL SPRING MONTHS OF APRIL-MAY-JUNE OF 2009. " - [ + - ]

    Falls Church - Erica sends these notes: " A cooler than average month with near normal rainfall. A storm system on the 26th brought over an inch of rain. " - [ - +/- ]

    Glen Allen - Lowell Koontz reports: " September was a little warmer and drier than average even though it had nine days with measurable rain and was much cooler than last September. September's mean average temperature of 69.2°F was only +0.5°F departure when compared to Ashland's average but was 2.0°F cooler in Glen Allen - Springfield Park than September 2008. The 2.50 inches of rainfall for September was a -1.37 inch departure when compared to Ashland's average. The month also had no intense rainfalls as the maximum rainfall in a 5-minute period was only 0.09 inches and in one hour was 0.49 inches. The maximum temperature for September was 89°F recorded on September 24th and the minimum temperature was 51°F that was recorded on the 29th. September's average temperature range was 18.9°F. The maximum wind gust was 31 mph from the southwest that occurred on the 28th at 1337 preceding a fast moving cold front. " - [ + - ] 

    Herndon - from Randy come these additional notes: " September was below normal for both temperature and precipitation. The temperatures ranged between a high of 86 and a low of 48. The average high and low were both about 3 and 1 degree below normal, respectively. On the precipitation side, the month was relatively dry. There were occasional storms in the area, but most gave my site very little rain. On the 25th through 27th, the heaviest rain occurred with storms moving through the area and we received 1.22" in over this period. We ended up with 2.01" for the month, which was 2.78" below normal. The rainfall for the year is now 1.25" below normal. " - [ - - ]

    Ladysmith - Danny reports: " September finished with both temperature and precipitation well below normal. Only four days featured measurable precipitation. Unlike September 2008, there was no real heat wave to speak of, with temperatures never exceeding 85 degrees. " - [ - - ]

    Portsmouth - " SEPTEMBER 2009 WAS THE 6th WETTEST SEPTEMBER IN THE DATABASE TO 1976. THE TOP 5 WETTEST SEPTEMBERS IN THE DATABASE INCLUDE: 1) 21.91" IN 1991 2) 10.29" IN 1979 3) 9.72" IN 2006 4) 9.71" IN 2003 5) 9.66" IN 1987 The two-month rainfall total for August and September 2009 was an amazing 20.86" September was a cooler and wetter month relative to normal Septembers for the period from 1976 to 2008. The 8.83" or rain was 3.93" ABOVE normal rainfall (180% of normal). The month's average temp was 1.9° BELOW normal. STATION RECORDS: 8th - RAINFALL 5.72" [previous 1.10" 1981], 10th - TEMPERATURE Minimum Maximum 70° [previous 73° in 2003]; 10th- WIND GUST 29mph [previous 26mph in 1996]; 23rd- TEMPERATURE TIED Maximum Minimum 72 [previous 2002]; 28th - RAINFALL 1.08" [previous 0.56" in 2003]. At month's end, rainfall for the year totaled 48.33", which was 128% of normal through the end of September, or 10.78" ABOVE normal. " - [ - + ] 

    North Carolina:

    Greensboro Word from NWS RAH... the North Carolina Weather Reviews have been discontinued. " - [ + - ]

    Raleigh - Bob forwards these additional notes: " The average daily temperature was below normal (-1.0deg); in fact only one day of 90+degrees was recorded. Rainfall for September totaled 5.64", which was 1.38" above normal. No severe weather except on September 28th, when there were a few isolated wind damage reports in the area. The SPC issued a severe thunderstorm watch during the late afternoon of the 28th. My complete wind speed information is unavailable due to equipment failure. " - [ - + ]

    Raleigh - NWS Raleigh (RAH) reports: " A RECORD RAINFALL OF 1.45 INCHES WAS SET ON SEPTEMBER 22. THIS PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 1.21 INCHES...SET IN 1995. Word from NWS RAH... the North Carolina Weather Reviews have been discontinued. " - [ + - ]

    Nearby Cities:

    Davis, WV - from Dave Lesher's website: " September ended with a mean temperature that was 1° BELOW NORMAL and with BELOW NORMAL rainfall (-2.0") No snow for the month was NORMAL. Year-to-date rainfall of 47.6" was 4.0" ABOVE normal. " - [ - + ]



    COLUMN DENOTATIONS:

    A  maximum mean temperature T total precipitation (inches)
    T1 departure from normal
    B  minimum mean temperature U maximum calendar day precipitation (inches)
    C  monthly mean temperature
    C1 departure from normal    		 U1 date of maximum calendar day precipitation
    D  maximum temperature V date(s) of maximum daily precipitation
    E  date(s) of maximum temperature V1 maximum 24-hour precip. & date(s)
    F  minimum temperature W number of days with precip. >= .01"
    G  date(s) of minimum temperature  X number of days with precip. >= 1.0"
    H  days with maximum temperature >=90 Y year-to-date precipitation (inches)
    I  days with maximum temperature <=32 Z maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
    J  days with minimum temperature <=32 VRB Variable
    K  days with minimum temperature <= 0 1 date of maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
    K1 average relative humidity 2 number of days with snowfall
    L  peak wind gust (miles per hour)  3 number of days with snowfall >= 1.0"
    M  direction of peak wind gust 4  total snowfall for month (inches)
    N  date(s) of peak wind gust  5 total snowfall for 2007-2008 season (inches)
    N1   average wind speed (miles per hour) 6 maximum barometric pressure (inches)
    N2 dominant wind direction 6A date of maximum barometric pressure
    O  number of days with thunder  7 minimum barometric pressure (inches)
    P  number of days with hail 7A date of minimum barometric pressure
    Q  number of days with glaze 8   average sea-level pressure
    R  number of days with ice pellets STN  Station
      NR not recorded
    R1 number of days with dense fog [1/4 mile and less visibility] (i) incomplete data
    S  local observation time for temps/precipitation (M) missing, if listed in data table
     ~ "about" E estimated
     +  additional indeterminate number of days CWA - NWS Office County Warning Area


    For ACON VA/NC/SC Recent Weather News, Search GOOGLE at CNN
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    National Weather Service Web Sites & Current Email Addresses
    Within or Nearby the ACON VA/NC/SC Area Can Be Found At:

         NWS Washington/Baltimore, VA/MD
         NWS Wakefield, VA
         NWS Blacksburg, VA
         NWS Raleigh, NC
         NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC
         NWS Wilmington, NC
         NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
         NWS Columbia, SC
         NWS Charleston, SC
         NWS Morristown, TN

         National Weather Service Homepages

         $$$ National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC $$$

    STATION / LOCATION (MILES & DIRECTION FROM MAIN POST OFFICE)/OBSERVER / YEAR RECORDS BEGAN / EMAIL ADDRESS:

      
       ROK   Roanoke, VA 6SW Wendell Prillaman  4/76 wlprillaman@cox.net
      AKQ    Wakefield, VA NWS Wakefield Municipal Airport 36-58-53N 077-00-04W 33M
    DCA    Arlington, VA Washington, DC, Reagan Washington National Airport 38-50-54N 077-02-03W 18M WSH   Washington, VA  David Yowell runamok@runamok.com
    BCB    Blacksburg, VA NWS Virginia Tech Airport 37-13N 080-25W   
    BLK  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Andrew Earehart September 2009, | aeare07@vt.edu WOO  Woodstock, VA 5NW Lauck Walton - 12/1/85 jwalton@shentel.net
       LDY Ladysmith, VA Danny Jessee 2003 danny@dannyjessee.com
    BRI     Bridgewater, VA Clayton Towers Ctowers@rica.net WAL   Wallops Island, VA 37° 56'26" N 75° 27'47" W Wallops Flight Facility Airport
    CEN  Centreville, VA Paul Bassett 1985, 38° 50.9788' N LAT. 77° 25.6374' W LON. | Elevation 324' | m.psb@verizon.net AVL    Asheville, NC  Asheville Regional Airport 35-25-55N 082-32-15W 670M
    CHO   Charlottesville, VA  Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport ASOS  (Rappahannock County) 38-08-18N 078-27-21W 192M MRH    Beaufort, NC  Michael J. Field Airport 34-44-01N 076-39-38W 3M
    DAN  Danville, VA, Danville Regional Airport, 36-34-22N 079-20-10W 175M  CLT    Charlotte, NC NWS Charlotte/Douglas International Airpot 35-12-48N 080-56-55W 220M
    IAD   Dulles - Washington-Dulles International Airport  38-56-05N 077-26-51W 93M  SSB    Sunset Beach, NC   33.9° N 78.5° W  Tom Myers
    FCH    Falls Church, VA Erica Page - 3/7/94 Windie1970@aol.com HKY  Hickory, NC 
    HAM    Hampton, VA 5NE Dave Kessel 1989 david82@verizon.net ECG  Elizabeth City, NC,  Coast Guard Air Station 36-15-47N 076-10-58W 11M
    CTR  Winterpock in Chesterfield County, VA Albert Arnold 06/03 FAY  Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville Regional Airport, 34-59-22N 078-52-48W 55M
      GSO   Greensboro, NC NWS Piedmont Triad International Airport 36-05-51N 079-56-37W 275M
    CHT   Chantilly, VA Russ Topping -  12/2006  russ.topping@gmail.com - new location December 2006 HSE    Cape Hatteras, NC  Mitchell Field 35-13-56N 075-27-21W 3M
    HDV    Herndon, VA  Randoplh W. Ashby, 3.3 SM South, Lat: 38.922127, Lon: -77.38015, Elev: 390'. Randolph_Ashby@Raytheon.com LBT    Lumberton, NC  Lumberton Municipal Airport 34-36-26N 079-03-36W 37M
    GAV - Glen Allen, Henrico County, VA - Lowell Koontz  8/1/08  wwkoontz@verizon.net EWN    New Bern, NC  Craven County Regional Airport 36-04-03N 077-02-50W 3M
    FRV     Front Royal, VA  Michael Perritt -  04/08 snowyat9@yahoo.com RAL    Raleigh, NC 7NNW  Bob Woodson -  6/1/93 kf4mmm@qsl.net
    LKU     Louisa, VA 1N Joseph Bowers 1944 - NWS ID  44-5050-02jmbiii@earthlink.net RDU   Raleigh-Durham, NC Raleigh-Durham International Airport 35-52-14N 078-47-11W 130M
    LOU     Louisa, VA 6S John Bullock (about 1970) INACTIVE 1/1/02 - MEMBER DECEASED FALL 2004 ROX    Roxboro, NC 2SE Merriell A. Jay 1/93
    LYH     Lynchburg, VA NWS Lynchburg Regional Airport 37-19-15N 079-12-24W 295M ILM     Wilmington, NC NWS New Hanover International Airport 34-16-06N 077-54-22W 9M
    NEW    Newmarket, VA 2W Joyce Winfree joywood@shentel.net CHS   Charleston, SC NWS Charleston Air Force Base 32-53-56N 080-02-26W 13M
    NPN     Newport News, VA 7N Gary Leonard -  6/91 GaryMLeonard@aol.com CAE    Columbia, SC NWS Columbia Metropolitan Airport 33-56-31N 081-07-05W 73M 
    NOR     Norfolk, VA 3NE Jim Fentress 6/1/77 FLO    Florence, SC Florence Regional Airport 34-11-16N 079-43-51W 44M
    ORF     Norfolk, VA 5NE 36-54-13N 076-11-31W 14M  1871 GSP   Greenville-Spartanburg, SC NWS Greenville-Spartanburg Airport 34-53-02N 082-13-15W 286M 
    POR     Portsmouth, VA 36.81° North 76.33° West 3S Bill Trotter -  7/1/76 wxr@cox.net CRE    North Myrtle Beach, SC Grand Strand Airport 33-48-42N 078-43-26W 10M
    MEC     Mechanicsville, VA Glen Martin 11/19/91 OGB   Orangeburg, SC  Orangeburg Municipal Airport 33-27-50N 080-51-13W 59M
    FHC    Norfolk, VA  Fred Heutte Center 36° 54'N 76° 16'W 01/01/03 fhcgarden@cox.net AND   Anderson, SC 
    RIC     Richmond, VA Richmond International Airport 37-30-40N 077-19-24W 50M TRI     Tri-cities, TN  (Bristol / Johnson / Kingsport), Tri-City Regional Airport 36-28-47N 082-23-56W 474M 
    ROA    Roanoke, VA Roanoke Regional Airport 37-19-01N 079-58-27W 362M DAV  Davis, WV Dave Lesher canaanwx@canaantv.tv