Over 8 inches of rain falls

Despite record-breaking rainfall totals in the region, the county remains some five to six inches shy of a normal year's rainfall. As such, drought conditions may have eased, but will likely persist for the immediate future.

According to meteorologist Dennis Sleighter (pronounced slick-ter) with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., rainfall measuring 8.68 inches was recorded about three miles southwest of Sparta. Sleighter said the observation was sent in by a weather spotter, but that no official climatological records are kept for Alleghany County.

A total of 5.6 inches of rain were recorded at the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs between Oct. 23 and Oct. 26, which reports to the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Specifically, .77 inch fell Oct. 23, 1.8 inches fell on Oct. 24, 2.76 inches fell Oct. 25, and .67 inch fell Oct. 26. One or more daily rainfall records were set last week at all five of the National Weather Service region's climatological stations— Bluefield, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Lynchburg and Danville. Alleghany is one of 40 counties covered by the Blacksburg-based NWS office. A return to the drier weather patterns that have marked this year appears to be likely for at least the next week. Sleighter said the local forecast shows a dry forecast through Monday, with a slight chance of scattered rain showers possible beginning Tuesday.

The 30-day, long-term forecast shows equal chances of either above normal or below normal temperatures possible, said Sleighter.

 

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