WeatherScouter's WunderBlog

The 2nd half of AUG turned-out to be an unusually pleasant period of cooler than usual temps in the AM and mid-80s, low humidity in the PM. Tropical Storm Fay brought some much needed beneficial rain to this near-extreme drought-stricken region of the North Carolina Piedmont, delivering 8-9 inches of rain about 1 week later than expected due to a stubborn high. Just prior to the cold-front arriving (see blog entry just before this one) my young Wolf Cub Scout and I joined our Cub Scout Pack and visited Reed Gold Mine in Midland, NC (the first large deposit gold discovery in the US). Then my Wolf Cub and I found a new trail at Latta Nature Reserve, taking the Hill Trail NW to the Split Rock Trail to the Piedmont Prairie Trail which opened my eyes to the fact that North Carolina has climates-within-climates or micro-climates as we call them in my native Northern California. TS Fay brought with her lots of Flash Flood warnings, bringing severe flooding to SE Cabarrus County and NE Mecklenburg County, displacing people from their homes and prompting a visit from Governor Mike Easley, declaring a disaster area. By comparison, TS Hannah barely brushed the Charlotte Metrolina Area, depositing most likely <0.1 inches of precipitation, more like a heavy mist really. Hurricane Ike is fast approaching the Western Atlantic with the Grand Turk Island bracing for its Category 3/4 effects. Despite Fay's much needed rain, we still have not recovered from this sustained year over year drought, so rain from Ike would be most welcome to start replenishing the water table.