2004 was wetter, cooler in Augusta

Hurricanes and tropical weather helped make Augusta's weather cooler and wetter throughout much of 2004, and experts predict more of the same in 2005.

"In some ways, it was a classic tale of two seasons," said Georgia state climatologist David Stooksbury at the University of Georgia's Driftmier Engineering Center. "Early in the year, it was dry across the whole state, then from summer through hurricane season, we were relatively wet."

Although much of the year yielded below-normal rainfall, a whopping 10.59 inches of rain in June helped push totals for the year closer to average, but still 4 inches shy of normal.

Coastal cities such as Savannah – with a 12-inch deficit for the year – still need more rain, and Macon and Atlanta had 2004 rainfall totals that were 2 to 3 inches above normal.

"One of the good things about the year was that we got a lot of rain in the heat of summer, when we needed it the most," he said.

Augusta had no 100-degree days during 2004, based on National Weather Service data from Bush Field.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which manages lakes Thurmond, Russell and Hartwell along the Savannah River above Augusta, was able to keep more water in the lakes for part of the year.

"January through March, we were above rule curve, in fact above normal," said Bill Lynch, Russell's project

manager. "Then when we hit mid-March through to mid-September, we were in a drought period, and water levels were going down for almost six months."

That's when the hurricanes rolled into Florida, spawning humid weather systems that brought rain to Georgia.

"We were almost ready to put out public notices for drought, then all of a sudden we had plenty of water, but it was a surcharge from the tropical storms and all those hurricanes," Mr. Lynch said.

The unusual density of major hurricanes that made landfall in the Southeast have forecasters wondering what 2005 might bring.

"We had 15 tropical or subtropical storms named this year, and nine became hurricanes and six were major hurricanes," Dr. Stooksbury said. "There are very good reasons to believe we'll have another robust tropical season in 2005 because we're in a period of more heightened activity in the tropics."

Although Georgia's coastline has avoided a major hurricane strike for many years, residents should avoid complacency, he said.

"People should remember that we had three major hurricanes hit the Georgia coast in the 1890s," he said. "Just because we have been spared for a century, that doesn't mean the Georgia coast doesn't get hit."

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.