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Wet September Exceeds Monthly Rainfall Average at Grandfather Mountain, 19 Percent Above 57-Year Average

Despite the fog and rain, many came to enjoy the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games that took place this summer. Photo by Maria Richardson

Oct. 2, 2012. The rainfall total of 7.44 inches of rain was 1.18 inches, or 19 percent, above the 57-year average rainfall total for September of 6.26 inches. According to the weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain, rain fell 10 days during the month.

Rainfall for the year continues to be up. Rain for the year-to-date is 49.2 inches, which is 5.74 inches (or 13 percent) above the norm for this time of the year.

Grandfather Mountain measures precipitation at multiple locations on the Mountain. An automatic weighing precipitation gauge on the corner of the Top Shop parking lot recorded 6.79 inches of liquid precipitation this month. The wind at the top of the Mountain can make readings lower than what is recorded at other elevations. Entrance Gate employees recorded 9.71 inches of rain for the month and the naturalist staff recorded 9.65 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 62.5 degrees and the average low temperature as 50.7 degrees. These numbers read a few degrees higher than the State Climate Office data from Mt. Mitchell State Park. The average high temperature at Mt. Mitchell was 59.9 degrees and the average low temperature was 47.2 degrees.

The highest three-second gust during the month was 71.53 mph recorded September 19. Grandfather Mountain observed fog during seven days this month.

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