Another Soaking Rain Would Be Nice..

It was one week ago that soaking rains were falling on much of North Carolina. In our part of the state, three to six inches of rain fell from Wednesday through early Saturday.

Those rains helped to put a small dent in the drought conditions across North Carolina. However, with dry weather in the forecast over the next several days, we all still need to do our part to conserve water.

The governor's office sent us these water conservation tips to share with you --

In the Bathroom

• Replace older plumbing fixtures with newer, low-flow models or install water-saving devices, such as faucet aerators.
• Place a water-filled bottle or brick in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water needed to fill it.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank and watch if the coloring shows up in the toilet bowl before flushing. If so, replace the leaking flap.
• Check tub and sink faucets for drips and replace washers and “O-rings” as necessary.
• Turn off all water to your home and look at the readout dial on your water meter. If the dial moves, you have a leak.
• Check pipes coming into the house for leaks and have them repaired immediately. Don’t forget to check outside faucets and garden hoses.
• Turn off water while lathering, shampooing, shaving and brushing your teeth.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, and then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Time your shower to keep it as short as possible.
• Collect water from the bath/shower while waiting for it to heat up and use it to water plants.

In the Kitchen

• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads to maximize efficiency.
  Avoid using sink disposals for food scraps. Composting food scraps is much more economical than using a garbage disposal.
• Don’t rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, or use a pan of water in the sink and re-use the water as long as possible.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. This minimizes rinse water needed.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
• Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave.
• Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Rinse them in a filled sink or pan.

Reuse and recycle

• Catch rainwater from your gutters with a rain barrel and use it to water your flowers and vegetables.
• Collect natural water with a rain barrel for car washing.

Outdoors

• Take time to locate your main water shut-off valve and the water meter in your yard. For instructions on how to read your water meter, go to: http://www.h2ouse.net/resources/meter/index.cfm.
• Use dry cleanup methods to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
• Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slow down evaporation.
  

Cold Tuesday Morning

Tuesday started with the coldest temperatures so far this season prompting freeze warnings a frost advisories across North Carolina. Here's a look at today's morning lows --

• Chapel Hill: 30
• Louisburg: 30
• Southern Pines: 30
• Henderson-Oxford: 32
• Raleigh-Durham: 33
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 33
• Smithfield: 34
• Laurinburg: 35
• Fayetteville: 36
• Goldsboro: 36
• Lumberton: 36

This should be the coldest morning of the week as a slight warm up is in store for the next couple of days.

Chilly This Morning; Colder Tuesday Morning

The week is off to a cool start with morning lows in the upper 30s in some spots today --

• Oxford-Henderson: 36
• Louisburg: 37
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 37
• Smithfield: 37
• Raleigh-Durham: 38
• Southern Pines: 39
• Chapel Hill: 40
• Laurinburg-Maxton: 41
• Fayetteville: 42
• Goldsboro: 44
• Lumberton: 44

Tuesday morning will likely be at least a couple degrees cooler than this morning. High pressure over North Carolina will keep skies clear over with light winds. That will bring optimal cooling conditions allowing temperatures to drop to the mid 30s, and many neighborhoods will see their first frost of the season.

Frost can form even if the thermometer measures a temperature above freezing. Most thermometers measure the air temperature a few feet off the ground. On a clear and calm night, the ground can actually cool down very quickly, and the temperature at the ground may be a couple degrees lower than the air a few feet above the ground. So, while our thermometers may read in the mid 30s Tuesday morning, the temperature right at the ground could be around 32 allowing frost to form.

Rainfall Totals

Here's a list of rainfall totals from automated reporting sites and weather spotters around the region for Wednesday through Saturday morning:

• Louisburg: 5.92"
• Cary: 5.43"
• New Hill: 5.29"
• Youngsville: 5.24"
• NCSU Centennial Campus (Raleigh): 5.20"
• Goldsboro: 5.16"
• Durham: 5.05"
• Apex: 4.88"
• Chapel Hill: 4.69"
• Clayton: 4.48"
• Laurinburg: 4.45"
• RDU Airport: 4.36"
• Erwin/Dunn: 4.27"
• Fayetteville: 4.24"
• Spring Lake: 4.20"
• Raeford: 4.02"
• Smithfield: 3.41"
• Hillsborough: 3.34"
• Fayetteville Airport: 3.26"
• Pittsboro: 3.21"
• Wilson: 3.09"
• Rocky Mount-Wilson Aiport: 3.01"

Lots of Rain for Friday

Friday morning is starting off wet, and it looks like a lot more is on the way. As of early Friday, 1 to 3 inches of rain has fallen over central North Carolina. We may add another two inches to those totals today in many spots.

Radar from this morning shows rain from the Carolinas through Florida. All of that is moving to the north and will keep rainy conditions over our part of our state well into the afternoon and evening.



We'll keep you posted with the latest on Weather on the Ones only on News 14 Carolina!

Storm Damage Report from Wednesday's Storms in Franklin County

Here's the National Weather Service's statement on Wednesday's storm damage in Franklin County --

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
345 PM EDT THU OCT 25 2007

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEYED STORM DAMAGE WHICH OCCURRED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...BETWEEN 315 PM AND 330 PM...ABOUT 6 MILES EAST OF LOUISBURG IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. THE DAMAGE WAS DISCONTINUOUS ALONG A TRACK ABOUT 1.7 MILES LONG ROUGHLY PARALLEL TO EDWARD BEST ROAD. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE TO WELL-BUILT STRUCTURES ALONG THE TRACK...AND THAT DAMAGE WAS MAINLY TO ROOF SHINGLES. THE TRAILER THAT HAD BEEN FLIPPED (THERE WAS ONE MINOR INJURY THAT WAS INCURRED WHEN THE TRAILER FLIPPED) ONTO ITS SIDE WAS MERELY PARKED AND JACKED UP LEVEL IN THE YARD...WITH NO UNDERPINNING OR ANCHORS ATTACHED. A PORTION OF CONCRETE BLOCK WALL ON A CAR WASH WAS TOPPLED...BUT THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FREE-STANDING NATURE OF THE WALLS WHICH ENCLOSE THE STALLS...AS EVEN THE ROOF SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE.

THERE WAS ONE VERY LARGE TREE UPROOTED AND SOME DAMAGE TO LARGER HARDWOODS... BUT THE HEAVIER DAMAGE WAS TO VERY LARGE MATURE OAK TREES THAT HAD BEEN WEAKENED BY NATURAL HOLLOWING AND FURTHER WEAKENED BY BEETLE LARVAE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BRADFORD PEAR TREES WHICH INCURRED DAMAGE AS WELL.

THE TREES THAT HAD BEEN TOPPLED HAD FALLEN PARALLEL TO THE STORM TRACK...AND THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF ROTATION IN THE VERY LIMITED DEBRIS FIELD. AS SUCH...THE DAMAGE IS ATTRIBUTED TO STRAIGHT LINE WINDS...WHICH ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE REACHED 75 MPH.

Additional Rainfall Reports

Here's a look at additional rainfall reports as of 8am Thursday morning passed along by the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh. These include unofficial reports from automated weather stations and weather spotters.

• Goldsboro: 3.10"
• Garner: 2.72"
• Cary: 2.31"
• Durham: 2.25"
• Henderson: 2.15"
• NCSU Cenntinial Campus: 2.15"
• Knightdale: 1.95"
• New Hill: 1.85"
• RDU Airport: 1.79"
• Rocky Mount-Wilson Airpot: 1.76"
• Apex: 1.70"
• Chapel Hill Airport: 1.68"
• Wilson: 1.60"
• Clayton: 1.59"
• Laurinburg/Maxton: 1.56"
• Holly Springs: 1.31"
• Oxford: 1.28"
• Southern Pines: 1.25"
• Pittsboro: 1.15"
• Louisburg: 1.13"
• Raeford: 1.09"
• Erwin/Dunn: 0.87"
• Fayetteville Airport: 0.55"
• Fayetteville: 0.50"
• Spring Lake: 0.40"

Rain Totals as of Thursday Morning

Here's a look at rainfall since Wednesday across the area --

• Raleigh-Durham: 1.79"
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 1.76"
• Lake Wheeler (Raleigh): 1.67"
• Goldsboro: 0.81"
• Clayton: 0.76"
• Reedy Creek (Raleigh): 0.66"
• Fayetteville: 0.55"
• Lumberton: 0.06"

A few thunderstorms yesterday produced gusty winds. One storm did produce wind damge Wednesday afternoon in Franklin County. According to information from the National Weather Service, law enforcement reported one person was injured near Louisburg when thunderstorm winds turned over a camper trailer.

The threat for strong storms appears to be over. Showers with a few embedded thunderstorms will continue off and on today and tomorrow. The rain should come to an end by early Saturday.

How much rain have you seen in your neighborhood? You can let us know by leaving a comment in the comment section below or send an e-mail to weather@news14.com.

Rainfall Chances Looking Good

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are beginning to move into North Carolina this Wednesday morning and the chances for rain are looking good for the next several days. In fact, this appears to be the best chance for soaking rains we have seen in months. After reviewing the latest weather data this morning, I am fairly confident in saying a lot of our area may see up to two inches of rain between Wednesday and the start of the weekend.

Here's a look at the rainfall forecast across the U.S. --

Today:

Thursday:

Friday:

We'll continue to follow our chances for soaking rains here on our Weather Blog and on News 14 Carolina. Look for updates on rain totals here over the next few days, plus feel free to share rain total reports from your backyard in the comment section or by sending an e-mail to weather@news14.com.

Drought Headlines

Here's a look at some of the latest drought headlines from across the state from news14.com...

• Raleigh gets tougher water restrictions
• Charlotte considers additional water restrictions
• High Point gets water restrictions

Disappointing Rain Totals

A few rain showers the end of last week produced disappointing rain totals across central North Carolina. Most locations saw far less than what was originally expected, and for the most part, the rain did nothing to put a dent in our drought.

Here's a look at rain totals from Thursday and Friday around the region --

• Raleigh (NC State Centennial Campus): 1.03"
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 0.55"
• Erwin: 0.20"
• Fayetteville: 0.16"
• Raleigh-Durham Airport: 0.13"
• Chapel Hill: 0.09"
• Goldsboro: 0.02"

It appears that heavy showers and thunderstorms to our south along the Gulf Coast "robbed" our area of more widespread rains on Friday.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the computer models this week. It does appear we have the chance for a few spotty light showers Tuesday and Wednesday, but those chances aren't all that high right now.

We'll keep you posted with the latest with Weather on the Ones!

Rain in the Forecast

For the first time in quite a while, there's a decent chance to see rain in our area over the next day or two. The chances aren't that great today, but are much higher for Friday.

Ahead of a storm system moving across the country, moisture is streaming into North Carolina from the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The only problem today is that we don't have a significant weather system to squeeze that moisture out of the atmosphere so we're left with mostly cloudy conditions and nothing more than a few light showers. If you see one of these light showers today, the rain totals should be less than a tenth of an inch.

That will all change Friday as a cold front moves across the state. That will produce showers and thunderstorms during the day across North Carolina. In fact, some of those thunderstorms have the potential to become strong to severe. As of Thursday morning, the Storm Prediction Center has placed our area along with much of the east coast under a "slight risk" for severe thunderstorms.

Most computer models now show the heaviest of the rains and thunderstorms passing through our part of the state during the afternoon hours. Here's a look at forecast from a model run by the State Climate Office of North Carolina.

That same model is also showing up to an inch of rain is possible across much of our region. Heavier thunderstorms may produce even more than that.

While up to an inch of rain would be very welcome around North Carolina, it is important to note that one good rainfall to break the exceptional drought that has developed the last several months. However, it certainly is a start. Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for Weather on the Ones updates with the latest on the rain chances and the threat for strong storms on Friday.

Another Record Tied

2007 will go down in the weather record books one more time. Wednesday's high of 84 at RDU tied the old record for October 17 set in 1962.

One More Record for the Books

Another record high was set Wednesday when the afternoon temperature reached 88 at RDU. That broke the old record of 86 set in 1997. Our three day streak of setting record highs is over now. Cooler air moving into North Carolina should keep fall like temperatures in our forecast at least through the weekend.

The cooler temperatures are perfect for the State Fair which starts Friday. If you making a trip to the State Fair this year, be sure to stop by the News 14 Carolina and Time Warner booth set up near the Dorton Arena. I'll be there from 1 until 4pm Friday afternoon. Hope to see you there!

More Records

Records were set on both Monday and Tuesday this week at RDU. Monday's high of 93 broke the old record of 87, and Tuesday's high of 94 broke the old record of 88. Tuesday also marked the latest day in the year that a 90 temperature had been recorded at RDU, where weather records have been kept since 1944. Prior to this year, the latest 90 temperature was recorded on October 7.

Those aren't the only records we have to talk about though... Monday and Tuesday now make 83days this year that the temperature has been at 90 or higher. That sets the all time record for Raleigh for the most 90 degree days in a year. Records have been kept at various locations around Raleigh since 1887.

Today's highs in the mid to upper 80s may come close to yet another record. The record for October 10 at RDU is 86.

If you're looking for cooler weather, it's on the way. For Thursday, high temperatures are only expected in the 70s. Finally... some cooler weather, and just in time for the State Fair!

Breaking Records.... Again!

Here it is... October... and it feels more like August. After a record breaking summer, the heat will continue to set records the first of this week. The latest a 90 degree or above temperature has been recorded in the year at RDU is on October 7. We'll break that record both today and Tuesday. We'll also set record highs the next few days.

Here are the records to watch at RDU --

Monday -- 87 in 1990
Tuesday -- 88 in 1990
Wednesday -- 86 in 1997

Highs will likely top out in the low to mid 90s both Monday and Tuesday with the mid 80s possible on Wednesday.

By the way, records have been kept at RDU since 1944.

Exceptional Drought

The drought across central North Carolina has now been upgraded to an "exceptional drought." That is the driest drought classification. The Triangle and parts of the Sandhills are now under this exceptional drought along with Charlotte and parts of the Triad. Prior to this week, only the western most part of the state was under an exceptional drought.


With the warm and dry weather pattern from this summer continuing into the start of the fall, rainfall deficits continue to grow across the state. Some spots are as much as 20 inches below normal for rainfall up to this point in the year. Here's a look at year to date rainfall deficits for select locations in the state --

• Lumberton: -21.09"
• Cape Hatteras: -20.08"
• Wilmington: -19.74"
• Greensboro: -13.40"
• New Bern: -12.76"
• Charlotte: -12.31"
• Asheville: -12.31"
• Raleigh: -8.01"

Unfortunately, the news on the drought likely will not get any better over the next week. While a few scattered showers are possible in North Carolina for the rest of the week, no widespread soaking rains are expected over the next week.

A look at long range information suggests the news won't get any better through the end of the year. A seasonal drought outlook released by the Climate Prediction Center today forecasts the drought conditions across North Carolina to persist through the remainder of the year.

Warm September

The record setting warmth from this summer has continued into the fall. September 2007 will go down in the record books as one of the hottest Septembers on record in the Triangle. At RDU, last month was the second warmest September in the record books. To compare months, we use the monthly average temperature, which was 75.0 last month.

Here's a look at the warmest Septembers recorded at RDU --

1. September 2005 -- 76.0
2. September 2007 -- 75.0
3. September 1980 -- 74.9
4. September 1954 -- 74.9
5. September 1998 -- 74.6

The all time hottest September in the Triangle was in 1921 when the monthly average temperature was 78.5. Weather records were not kept at RDU at that time, since RDU was not built until the 1940s.