Is Central Alabama on a Record-Setting Pace for Yearly Rainfall?
As you have probably noticed, there has been a good amount of rainfall across Central Alabama so far this year (and in fact all of the state and along the Gulf Coast). But, has this rainfall been more than that seen in previous years? As shown in the table below, rainfall totals in general have been greater as you go south toward the Gulf Coast.
Rainfall January through May, 2014
Birmingham
22.86"
Anniston
23.52"
Tuscaloosa
25.04"
Montgomery
28.89"
Huntsville
23.47"
Muscle Shoals
16.80"
Mobile
41.50"
Brewton
40.03"
Pensacola FL
56.48"
Tallahassee FL
32.09"
Looking at past rainfall records, we can see that the totals so far this year are not unheard of, and in fact there have been many years with higher amounts. It is actually fairly common for rainfall totals to have approached or exceeded forty inches by the end of May, as the table below indicates.
Years with Rainfall of 40" or More January through May
Birmingham
1929 - 42.21"
1980 - 41.19"
Anniston
1979 - 43.37"
Tuscaloosa
1976 - 40.92"
1979 - 40.72"
1980 - 40.29"
1983 - 41.36"
Montgomery
1912 - 44.10"
1929 - 44.85"
Huntsville
1991 - 39.53"
Muscle Shoals
1939 - 41.62"
1991 - 45.05"
Mobile
1929 - 44.62"
1947 - 46.17"
1980 - 50.50"
1991 - 49.71"
Brewton
1980 - 40.95"
1983 - 42.44"
1990 - 41.02"
1995 - 40.21"
Pensacola FL
1991 - 44.48"
2005 - 46.49"
Tallahassee FL
1973 - 47.20"
1991 - 48.05"
So, in the "wet" years shown above, what were the final yearly rainfall totals? As you can see below, the remainder of many of these years was not as wet although in most cases the yearly rainfall was still well above normal.
Final Yearly Total for Years with 40" or More January through May
Birmingham
1929 - 81.82"
1980 - 61.47"
Anniston
1979 - 68.59"
Tuscaloosa
1976 - 68.30"
1979 - 68.05"
1980 - 60.62"
1983 - 78.35"
Montgomery
1912 - 77.89"
1929 - 78.25"
Huntsville
1991 - 70.26"
Muscle Shoals
1939 - 69.94"
1991 - 77.17"
Mobile
1929 - 89.34"
1947 - 84.20"
1980 - 78.12"
1991 - 81.67"
Brewton
1980 - 67.04"
1983 - 83.92"
1990 - 60.98"
1995 - 95.77"
Pensacola FL
1991 - 68.62"
2005 - 76.22"
Tallahassee FL
1973 - 87.80"
1991 - 72.25"
Greatest Yearly Rainfall All Years
(Totals in Parentheses are January through May Totals)
Birmingham
1929 - 81.82"
Anniston
2013 - 75.28" (32.93”)
Tuscaloosa
1983 - 78.35"
Montgomery
1929 - 78.25"
Huntsville
1989 - 73.58" (28.09”)
Muscle Shoals
1975 - 78.78" (30.92”)
Mobile
1881 - 92.32" (38.03”)
Brewton
1995 - 95.77"
Pensacola FL
1953 - 93.32" (31.32”)
Tallahassee FL
1964 - 104.18" (33.07”)