January 2009 Climate Summary - Georgia
Prepared by Pam Knox, Assistant State Climatologist
Cold and rainy conditions dominated Georgia’s climate in most of the state during January 2010. These conditions were linked to the continuing influence of El Niño, which is occurring in the eastern Pacific Ocean. In El Niño winters, the subtropical jet is frequently located over south Georgia, leading to cool and cloudy conditions and enhanced rainfall, particularly in the southern half of the state.
Temperatures across the state were significantly cooler than normal. In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 38.5 degrees F (4.2 degrees below normal), in Athens 39.7 degrees (2.5 degrees below normal), Columbus 41.6 (5.2 degrees below normal), Macon 42.2 (3.3 below normal), Savannah 45.5 (3.7 below normal), Brunswick 47.0 (4.7 below normal), Alma 45.6 (6.1 below normal), Valdosta 47.9 (2.0 below normal) and Augusta 41.7 (3.1 below normal). Low temperature records were set in Brunswick (26 F) on January 4 and in Alma (22 F) on January 7.
Rainfall across the southern half of the state was well above normal in December, according to radar estimates. Many areas south of the fall line from Columbus to Augusta and in the northeast mountains received over 5 inches of rain.
Source: www.weather.gov
The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 6.74 inches in Valdosta (0.37 inches above normal) and the lowest was in Brunswick at 4.33 inches (0.47 above normal). Atlanta received 5.38 inches (0.35 above normal), Macon 5.50 inches (0.50 inches above normal), Athens 6.20 (1.51 above normal), Augusta 5.39 (0.89 above normal), Columbus 5.35 (0.57 above normal), Savannah 6.28 (2.33 above normal) and Alma 4.74 (0.47 inches above normal).
Source: www.weather.gov
The highest monthly totals from CoCoRaHS stations were 9.65 inches northeast of Fort Gaines in Clay County and 9.56 inches near Dillard in Rabun County in far northeast Georgia. The highest one-day amount occurred in Statesboro on January 17, when 4.40 inches were observed north of town. Albany received 4.00 inches on January 21 and La Grange reported 3.98 inches on January 25.
The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring site at Dawson in Terrell County reported 10.94 inches and in Plains they received 9.33 inches for the month.
Georgians experienced one day of severe weather in January. On January 6, a weak tornado occurred in Chattooga County southeast of Chattoogaville and left a spotty track about 2 miles long, including roof damage to several buildings. Trees were also reported down in several locations around the state. Tornado warnings were also issued in late January in some areas of Georgia but no tornadoes, hail or high winds were reported to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, although a CoCoRaHS observer in Loganville reported quarter-sized hail on January 21.
Sleet, ice and snow in northern Georgia in late January caused numerous accidents on highway and scattered power outages. Part of I-20 was closed due to ice on the roads on January 29 near Atlanta.
The cold weather caused greatly increased heating demands in January. Power companies estimated that heating costs were about 30 percent above normal for this time of year and 60 percent above demands for last winter.
Rivers in Georgia reported minor to moderate flooding on several dates throughout the month. The moderate flooding was mainly confined to the larger rivers below the fall line in central Georgia.
During January, the heavy rains in southern Georgia continued to cause problems for farmers trying to work in the fields. Cool temperatures slowed or stopped growth of forage and farmers used hay and hay and supplemental feed heavily, particularly during the coldest spells.