The weather across north and central Georgia during 2006 was predominately characterized by warm and dry conditions. From the start, January set the trend with very unseasonably mild temperatures. Departures from normal ranged from +6.7 degrees F in Atlanta to +7.3 degrees F in Columbus. These departures were enough to establish the 9th warmest January on record in the capital city, and the warmest since 1989. Although, January precipitation at 5.10 inches was slightly above normal in Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, and Macon all recorded deficits for the month. In fact, Macon received just a little more than 40% of its average 5 inch monthly total. February, on the other hand, skewed the overall trend a bit. Average monthly temperatures were colder than normal at all four locations, with Atlanta recording the greatest departure at -2.5 degrees F. Similarly, rainfall was near or above normal at all locations except Macon, where a deficit of 0.74 inches was posted.

In March, temperatures moderated again to near normal or to slightly above normal monthly readings. However, abnormally dry conditions returned resulting in hefty rainfall deficits for the month. Departures from normal ranged from -2.45 inches in Atlanta to a whopping -3.66 inches in Macon. The dry conditions aided Macon in tying a record low temperature on the 26th, at 28 F. The drier than average conditions continued in April, as all four cities recorded deficits for the 2nd consecutive month. Although not as dry as March, both Athens and Atlanta posted deficits of an inch or more. At the same time, unseasonably mild temperatures were common, as departures from normal ballooned again and ranged from +4.2 degrees F. at Macon to +5.2 degrees F. at Columbus.

May temperatures were the closest to average for any month during the year. An unseasonably cool 10 day period during the middle of the month, offset an early heat wave which occurred toward the end of month. In fact, both Columbus and Macon reached 90 degrees F. or better during the final 12 days of May. On the 28th, Columbus tied a 44 year old record high temperature with 97 degrees. This heat was also accompanied by a prolonged dry spell which contributed to rainfall deficits of 1.69 inches at Athens and 1.46 inches at Macon. The early summer heat continued through June, as 90 degrees was reached 17 times in the Capital city. This was the most 90 degrees days in June, since 2000. Elsewhere, temperatures reached or exceeded the century mark on the 21st through the 23rd in Macon, and on the 21st and 22nd in both Athens and Columbus. This oppressive heat was enough to tie records of 100 degrees on the 21st and 22nd in Columbus, as well as 102 degrees in Athens on the 22nd. Thunderstorms with close proximity to Atlanta from the 24th through 26th were sufficient enough for the capital city to record its first surplus (+2.17") of rainfall in four months. However, Athens and Columbus weren’t as lucky, receiving 1.97 inches and 1.74 inches less than average, respectively. In turn, these series of heat waves accompanied by localized rainfall initiated a moderate drought for most of central and northern Georgia by mid June.

July 2006 will long be remembered for its persistent 100+ degree heat over a broad area of the Great Plains and mid-west. Much above normal temperatures were also extensive across the west and northwest regions of the country, resulting in the 2nd warmest July on record for the contiguous U.S. In Atlanta, the mercury topped 90 degrees or more on 23 days, the most July occurrences since 1996. One record high was established when Columbus reached 99 degrees on the 4th, breaking the old record of 98 degrees set in 1979. Unlike the heat, July rainfall was at a premium, especially in Atlanta and Columbus where deficits were -3.81 inches and -2.18 inches, respectively. In August, more frequent thunderstorm activity brought some well needed relief from the persistent drought. However, not all areas benefited from the generally localized rainfall. Whereas, Atlanta had it’s wettest August since 1967 with 8.66 inches of rainfall, Macon received only 2.28 inches which was 1.51 inches below normal. One big difference was a major rain event that occurred on the last day of the month. A slow moving upper level wave over Mississippi/Alabama approached Georgia on the heels of Tropical Storm Ernesto. A persistent training effect of thunderstorms setup over Atlanta, but not across central Georgia. The result, a record amount of rainfall (3.72") for the day in the capital city, but just 0.15 inches fell in Macon. Again, temperatures were well above normal in all four cities with departures ranging from +2.1 degrees in Atlanta to +2.8 degrees in Columbus.

September finally brought relief from the heat, but very little for the yearly rainfall deficits. All four locations recorded a below normal monthly temperature with Atlanta leading the way with a -1.4 degree departure. In addition, all experienced a drier than normal month except Columbus, where they recorded a modest 0.42 inch surplus. The cooler than average temperatures continued in October, with negative departures again in all four cities ranging from -1.4 degrees in Athens to -0.6 F in Columbus. Another welcomed change was a more active lower Mississippi valley storm track which brought near normal or above normal precipitation to the region. Amounts resulted in small monthly deficits in Atlanta (-0.07") and Macon (-0.14"), and small to modest surpluses in Athens (0.05") and Columbus (0.81").

Similarly, November provided near normal to above normal rainfall, while experiencing very close to average monthly temperatures. For example, precipitation departures ranged from -0.53" at Athens to +0.66" at Columbus, while temperatures departures were minuscule ranging from a -0.3 degree at Macon to a +0.4 degree at Athens. However, significant deviations from the norm did occur during two brief periods of record and near record warmth. On the 10th, Athens broke a record high temperature with 81 F (previous record 80 F set in 1931), while Macon tied their record at 81 F (1987). Again, on the last day of month, Athens with 76 F and Columbus with 78 F came within 1 degree of their record high temperature for the date. December began where November left off with 70 degree or more high temperatures on the 1st in Atlanta, Columbus, and Macon. This warmth soon ended however, as some of the coldest temperatures in 2 years were ushered in on the 7th through 11th. In fact, Atlanta’s low temperature of 19 F on the 8th, and 21 F on the 9th were colder than any recorded in the capital during the previous winter. Also, on the 9th, Macon broke its record low temperature for the date with 16 F (old record 18 F in 1917). The cold was short lived, however, as high temperatures moderated to record and near record levels on the 18th and 19th. Both Atlanta with 73 F on the 18th and Macon with 78 F on the 19th only missed tying their record highs by a single degree. Also on the 19th, Columbus broke their record of 76 F set in 1984 when the afternoon temperature reached 77 F. Mild temperatures continued though late December and led to all four cities recording monthly averages well above normal.