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Above Average Rainfall In May at Grandfather Mountain

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Photo by Todd Bush

June 4, 2013. The weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain recorded above average rainfall during May.  The rainfall total of 8.90 inches was 3.2 inches, or 56 percent, above the 57-year average rainfall total for May of 5.70 inches.  Rain for the year-to-date is 34.86 inches, which is 8.95 inches (or 35 percent) above the norm for this time of year. 

Grandfather Mountain measures precipitation at multiple locations on the Mountain and even more rainfall was recorded at the lower elevations.  Entrance Gate employees recorded 12.38 inches of rain for the month and the naturalist staff recorded 13.29 inches at the weather equipment near the Fudge Shop.

The automatic weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain recorded the average high temperature for the month as 56.5 degrees and the average low temperature as 43.9 degrees.  These numbers read just a bit higher than the State Climate Office data from Mt. Mitchell State Park.  The average high temperature at Mt. Mitchell was 54.8 degrees and the average low temperature was 41.5 degrees.  

Wind gusts over 60 mph were recorded four times.  The highest three-second gust during the month was 65.6 mph recorded May 24. 

For more information on Grandfather Mountain’s weather data or to access current conditions please visit www.grandfather.com.