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One of the Driest Years on Record So Far In Atlanta and Athens
updated October 16, 2007


[ Precent of Normal Rainfall for Jan thru Sep 2007 ]
Percent of Normal Rainfall for the period Jan - Sep 2007.
Nearly all of northern GA was 30 to 60 percent of normal.
(click photo to enlarge)

(new photos below)

From the first of January through the middle of October the lack of rainfall this year in the cities of Atlanta and Athens has been almost unprecedented. For the period January 1 through October 15, there have been only TWO years drier than 2007.

In Atlanta the driest year on record through October 15 is 1931 when only 23.14 inches were recorded. 1954 was the second driest year with 24.53. The total in 2007 was 24.68 inches.

In Athens the driest year on record through October 15 is 1954 when only 21.56 inches were recorded. 1925 was the second driest year with 21.96. The total in 2007 was 22.32 inches.

The lack of rainfall across all of northern Georgia has resulted in exceptional drought conditions which, among other things, has resulted in extremely low water levels in area lakes and reservoirs. Examples are in the photos below.

2007 has also been dry in Columbus and Macon - just not quite so extreme. The January through mid-October period this year is the 6th driest on record in Columbus and the 25th driest at Macon.

While the month of October is typically the driest of the year, there have been large amounts recorded in past Octobers. In Atlanta 11.04 inches fell in 1995, and 8.41 inches fell that same year in Columbus. Athens has also seen over 11 inches during the month of October ( 11.23 in 1937 ).

Relevant web page:
Samples of Low Water Levels on Lakes and Rivers ( click images to enlarge )
Photos courtesy Bill Kinsland and Nate Mayes.
[ Lake Lanier in September 2007 as seen from Highway 60 in Hall County. ]
Lake Lanier in September 2007 as seen from Highway 60 in Hall County.		[ Lake Lanier in September 2007 as seen from Highway 60 in Hall County. ]
Lake Lanier in September 2007 as seen from Highway 60 in Hall County.
 [ The Chattahoochee River near Helen in September 2007. ]
The Chattahoochee River near Helen in September 2007.
[ Lake Allatoona in October 2007. ]
NEW Lake Allatoona in October 2007.		[ Lake Allatoona in October 2007. ]
NEW Lake Allatoona in October 2007.
 [ Lake Allatoona in October 2007. ]
NEW Lake Allatoona in October 2007.
additional photo courtesy Robbie Westbrook ( click image to enlarge )
[ Lake Allatoona on October 1, 2007 at Little River Landing in Cherokee County. ]
Lake Allatoona on October 1, 2007 at Little River Landing in Cherokee County.



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