LOTS OF RAIN, LITTLE RELIEF

Even with Wednesday’s rainfall and the predictions for more today, Georgia lags far below its rainfall average of 50.20 inches a year. The good news? The metro area has already received more rain in 2008 than it did in 2007. Then again, that wasn’t hard to do: Last year was the second driest on record.

THE DROUGHT

Metro Atlanta’s drought should improve over the next three months, according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. But it would take above-average rainfall for a year to restore Lake Lanier, which provides most metro Atlantans with their drinking water. This week, Lake Lanier fell to within 2 inches of setting a new record: It was more than 20 feet below its full, summertime level.

NOT SO UNUSUAL

Think of tornado watches and gully washers in Georgia, and you usually think of spring or summer months. But as Wednesday’s wave of soaking storms attest, they can —- and do —- also happen in winter months. The warm temperatures that helped fuel Wednesday’s storm front aren’t so unusual, either. Last year, temperatures exceeded Wednesday’s high of 64 degrees on 10 days in December. A year ago Wednesday, in fact, the high was a balmy 77.

THE WORST OF IT

Tornado and flood watches and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Wednesday throughout the state. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Big Creek, in Forsyth and north Fulton counties near Alpharetta, with flooding likely through today. Minor flooding also was expected near Chattahoochee River Road and State Highway 9 in Roswell.

THE FORECAST

There’s 100 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms today. The chance of rain will diminish to 40 percent tonight, as temperatures dip into the low 30s. Friday through Sunday will be mostly sunny.

Sources: National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 CHARLES W. JONES / Staff 
ATLANTA RAINFALL 
Metro Atlanta has been in a drought since spring 2006. Even Wednesday's downpour wasn't enough to erase the deficit. 

Line graph compares Cumulative rainfall to Monthly deviation from normal rainfall, for years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday:
Monthly deviation from normal: 0.17 inch 
Cumulative: -29.26 inches 
Note: Baseline is average rain from 1971-2000 at Hartsfield-Jackson airport 
Sources: National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey