Washington Experiences Record Rainfall, Marks One of the Wettest Decembers in History

Washington is witnessing one of the wettest Decembers on record, as incessant rain showers have dominated the region, breaking records and pushing the city into the fourth spot for the wettest December since 1871.

The latest downpour on Wednesday, totaling 1.2 inches, surpassed the previous daily record set in 1894 with 1.16 inches. The unrelenting rain pattern throughout the month has accumulated a staggering total of 6.39 inches by 27th Dec, alongside additional rainfall on 28th, far exceeding the December average of 3.41 inches. This meteorological phenomenon has propelled Washington into the annals of weather history, with records dating back over a century.

The substantial turnaround from a dry fall and much of the year, plagued by drought, is now characterized by a series of four major rainstorms in December alone. These storms have saturated once-parched soils, rendering them incapable of absorbing more rain. Each storm, delivering at least an inch of rain in various locations, has contributed to the unprecedented wetness of the month.

The most recent storm, on Wednesday, brought 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain across the D.C. region, with slightly higher amounts to the east. Other rain events on the 26th and 28th added to the cumulative totals. Notable figures include 2.04 inches in Upper Marlboro, 1.81 inches in Annapolis, 1.50 inches in Patuxent, and 1.45 inches at Joint Base Andrews. Washington recorded 1.33 inches, Baltimore 1.67 inches, Dulles Airport 0.98 inches, and Fairfax Station 0.92 inches.

This latest storm also marked the third calendar day in December with an inch or more of rain in Washington, tying the record for the most rainy days during the month.

As the soil saturation continues, isolated incidents of flooding have been observed, particularly in Prince George’s County around Upper Marlboro. A flood warning was issued for rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas susceptible to minor inundation.

The extraordinary wetness is not confined to Washington alone; the entire East Coast, from Florida to Maine, has experienced above-average precipitation this month. Storm systems laden with precipitation have traversed from the Gulf Coast region to New England, contributing to the historic rainfall in Washington. Baltimore, too, is in the midst of its third-wettest December, with 7.16 inches of rain through Wednesday, and Dulles Airport has recorded the sixth-wettest December with 5.74 inches.

Despite the copious rainfall, the notable absence of snow in the region has become a talking point. Warmer temperatures, approximately 3 degrees above normal, have hindered the formation of snow. While several storms have tracked offshore, a common precursor for snow in the Mid-Atlantic, rain has been the predominant weather element. The prevailing El Niño pattern, contributing to the excessive December rainfall, has also led to global record warmth, exacerbated by the impact of human-induced climate change.

Comparisons to the last decade reveal a similar precipitation total in December that occurred in 2009, with 6.79 inches, marked by a historic snowstorm. Interestingly, the other top five wettest Decembers (excluding 1881 due to the absence of snowfall measurements) featured more snowfall than the current one, highlighting the exceptional nature of this month’s rainfall.

As Washington grapples with this meteorological anomaly, meteorologists and residents alike are closely monitoring the weather patterns, with a collective curiosity about the implications and potential record-breaking statistics that may emerge by the end of the month.