Drought in Georgia, October 1 to 31, 2000

After a couple of months of relief from the prolonged dry conditions of the past 2 to 3 years, very dry conditions returned to north and central Georgia during October. A strong cold front moved through the state on the 6'th, preceded by a line of thunderstorms. For most locations, this represented the only rain day during the month. Following the cold front, an unseasonably large and cold dome of high pressure settled over the state. A stagnant pattern in the upper-levels of the atmosphere set up thereafter which allowed the strong surface high to remain over the area for an extended period of time, essentially blocking off any significant Gulf moisture for the remainder of the month. By the end of the month, many locations were nearing records for the longest consecutive number of days without measurable rainfall.Measurable rain fell on only one day at many locations throughout the region, with monthly rainfall less than one inch at most reporting stations. Rainfall deficits exceeding 3 inches were common across most of north Georgia, with rainfall deficits around 2 inches common in the central portion of the state. Of the four major reporting stations in north Georgia, monthly rainfall totals of only 0.23 inch were observed at Athens, 0.87 at Atlanta, 0.62 at Columbus, and 1.08 at Macon, with deficits of 3.05 inches, 2.18 inches, 1.60 inches, and 1.10 inches respectively.