Satellite-detected heat signatures outlined by pixels over McDowell County, NC, to the east-northeast of Asheville. Fires remain active as of late afternoon, amid decreasing winds but relative humidity in the teens.
30-day percent of normal precipitation over the southern Appalachians. Dark red areas have seen <25% of normal amounts in this period. Generally the entire region has been drier than normal amid an unusually cold January, with a suppressed storm track well to the south.
120-day precipitation departures are as high as 12-16”+ in the dark red areas and widely range from 6-12” in the southern Appalachians, Piedmont and adjacent areas. This dryness immediately followed Helene’s historic rainfall, which left the region in despair.
Ranking of monthly precipitation projected out through the end of January. Some areas will see rain with a front on Friday, but amounts are trending lower. If no rain occurs in Asheville tomorrow night into Friday, they could end up with their 4th driest January in 137 years.
In yet another case of weather whiplash, fires today in western North Carolina occurred four months after Helene’s historic rainfall. If no rain occurs with Friday’s front, Asheville will have its 4th driest January on record. 120-day departures are as much as 12-16”+ in the southern Apps. #NCwx