December 2009 Climate Summary - North Carolina

Cool and Very Wet

Ryan Boyles, State Climate Office of North Carolina

Wet In the West, Dry in the East, A Bit Cool Everywhere

Temperature and Precipitation by Climate Division
Departures from Normal for December 2009
Based on Preliminary Data

December 2009 in North Carolina was wet, followed by more wet, with a bit of cold air and more wet. Following the pattern set in October and November, December 2009 ranked as one of the top 5 wettest since 1895 for most climate divisions. Based on preliminary data, December 2009 ranked statewide as the 2nd wettest December on record (behind December 1973, when the NC statewide average 0.10 inches greater).

Unlike November, December 2009 was cold statewide with mean temperatures 2 degrees F below normal. This ranks as the 32nd coldest December on record. With the cold temperatures, a major snowfall event brought 18+ inches to the mountains of western NC, with lesser amounts through the northern and western Piedmont. An ice storm on Christmas followed by high winds caused more widespread damage in the northern mountains, where ice accretion of in excess of ½ inch caused damages to trees, power lines, and other infrastructure (including some weather sensors).

Impacts to Agriculture

Continued wet weather caused more delays in the harvest of cotton and soybeans. While many growers have been aggressive in picking cotton to minimize yield loss, fields in eastern NC were still waiting for harvest even after Christmas. Many growers are still waiting for fields to dry and pick soybeans.

Impacts to Water Resources

After a very wet autumn, no locations in NC are experiencing any lingering drought impacts. The NC Drought Management Advisory Council continues to review observations from across the state, but weekly assessments have been suspended until the threat of drought returns. With a wet winter and spring forecasted in association with El Nino, drought conditions are highly unlikely to return in the near future.