This September is one of the wettest on record for Richmond

Three systems this month have made this September one for the record books! As a result of rainfall from Hurricane Irene, the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, and recent days of rainfall resulting from a cut-off, closed low pressure system to our northwest and an Atlantic high to our east funneling in rich moisture day after day...Richmond International Airport has now recorded enough rainfall to rank in the Top 10 Wettest Septembers on the book!

Quite a chunk (anywhere from 10% to 40% historically) of our September rainfall can be attributed to tropical systems (ranging from full-fledged hurricanes like Irene to merely the remnants of a system that once was tropical).

Several tropical systems affected Virginia in 1999, which contributed to our wettest September on record. Here are the tracks of those that passed through or came close to Virginia with rainfall in 1999:

You'll recognize some of the other years, like 2003, in the Top 10 (resulting from the Isabel bump in rainfall, which was similar to this year's Irene totals):

And 2006 is another year Virginians remember well because of Ernesto's impressive rainfall over central Virginia:

The closed low pressure system currently still stuck spinning around Chicago, IL will finally receive a kick from the upper-level jet stream by mid-week, allowing it to migrate eastward. Its trailing surface cold front will also sweep through central Virginia Wednesday, ending an entire week of muggy, cloudy, wet weather.
Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.
--Meteorologist Carrie Rose

Stagnant Weather Pattern

The primary jet stream remains in the northwestern United States into southern Canada. This is separating the chilly air way up to the north and mild/warm air over much of the lower 48 states.

A storm system has been cut off from the main jet stream, and is located near Chicago. There is a cool pool of air and frequent showers with it. The combination of having warm air surrounding the storm and its location away from the main jet stream is keeping it from moving.

Over the next few days, this storm will just slowly drift through the Midwest and Great Lakes.

With that storm stuck, our area will continue under the influence of southerly winds, warm temps and moderate humidity. The moisture and humidity in place will allow for occasional storms with heavy downpours in spots.




This overall pattern is slated to change during next week, allowing more seasonable temperatures and humidity levels to return to the area by mid and late week.

Autumn Has Begun