Mid-Atlantic July Rain: Opposite Ends of the Record Spectrum | WeatherBug
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Mid-Atlantic July Rain: Opposite Ends of the Record Spectrum

August 1, 2022
By WeatherBug Sr. Meteorologist, Chad Merrill
July has proven to have opposite extremes in rainfall amounts across one region of the U.S. 

The overall pattern through the historically hottest month of the year in the Mid-Atlantic has been for frontal systems to sweep through the northern Mid-Atlantic and then hit a roadblock south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Fronts have barely made any progress into southern Virginia. In a few other instances, the Plains heat ridge has produced storms on its northern flank which have pushed southeast and just clipped the southern Mid-Atlantic. 

All of this adds up to a dichotomy in rainfall production for the month. Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., is the jackpot winner for the region with 7.61 inches of rain. July 2022 will rank as the sixth wettest on record. 

On the contrary, the northern and southern Mid-Atlantic have not benefited from frontal moisture this month. One hundred and forty-five miles north of the nation’s capital, Williamsport, Pa., has only seen 2.11 inches of rain, ranking as the twelfth driest on record. Similarly, Selinsgrove, Pa., only accumulated 1.54 inches of rain this month, ranking as the third driest July on record. Across the southern Mid-Atlantic, Richmond, Va., has only tallied 1.48 inches of rain, ranking as the sixth driest July on record. 

The good news going forward through the end of August is the pattern shows more promise for frequent storm systems to sweep into the Mid-Atlantic and bring rain. Above-average rainfall is expected for much of the Mid-Atlantic, except the northern fringe. Most August rainfall occurs in thunderstorms with contribution to tropical systems. However, due to the sporadic nature of thunderstorms, rain amounts are anything but uniform across any one region of the U.S. All it takes is that one moisture-logged thunderstorm to break the mold for summer rainfall. 

Remember when approaching a flooded roadway, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” because the water is usually deeper than what it appears. Also, “When Thunder Roars, Head Indoors.” National Weather Service Storm Data indicate the U.S. averaged 43 lightning deaths per year over the last 30 years (1989-2018). Download the WeatherBug application to get notified of the nearest lightning, any weather alerts for your area and the latest forecast. 
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Story Image: Ominous clouds are seen lingering around Williamsport, Pa., July 18, 2022, from the Little League International Baseball and Softball camera.