Over the past week, the Southeast United States experienced an extraordinary amount of rainfall, exceeding 40 trillion gallons, primarily due to Hurricane Helene and accompanying storm systems. Experts have noted the apocalyptic scale of flooding, resulting in over one hundred fatalities and potential links between these storms and climate change, emphasizing the increasingly wet nature of such weather events.
Recent meteorological assessments indicate that the Southeast United States experienced an unprecedented deluge, with more than 40 trillion gallons of rain falling within a single week, primarily attributed to Hurricane Helene and additional rainfall from preceding storm systems. This astonishing volume of water is sufficient to fill the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium 51,000 times or equate to a depth exceeding three and a half feet across the state of North Carolina. Reputed climatologist Ed Clark, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Water Center, remarked on the extraordinary nature of this event: “That is an astronomical amount of precipitation. I have not seen something in my 25 years of working at the weather service that is this geographically large of an extent and the sheer volume of water that fell from the sky.” Moreover, the flood’s impact has proven devastating, with over one hundred fatalities reported as a result of the torrential rains. The calculations confirming this extraordinary rainfall were produced by private meteorologist Ryan Maue, who employed precipitation data derived from satellites and ground observations to estimate that 40 trillion gallons fell across the eastern United States from Hurricane Helene alone, with notable concentrations affecting Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Florida. Clark corroborated these figures independently, suggesting they may represent a conservative estimate, as he anticipates a potential additional one to two trillion gallons of rain that may have fallen, particularly in Virginia. To place these figures in context, the total rainfall is more than double the combined water storage of two vital reservoirs in the Colorado River basin: Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The meteorological phenomenon was a product of several converging factors, including the influence of a low-pressure system that separated from the jet stream, combined with the effects of Hurricane Helene. This situation prompted excessive rainfall, particularly in elevated regions where vast amounts of water were washed down into lower ground. North Carolina’s weather officials recorded extreme rainfall totals, including an eye-popping 31.33 inches in the small town of Busick, as well as significant accumulations at Mount Mitchell. Furthermore, the connection between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of such storm systems cannot be overlooked. Experts acknowledged that warmer atmospheric conditions allow for greater moisture retention, heightening the potential for severe precipitation during storm events. While opinions diverge regarding the specific correlation between climate change and the events surrounding Hurricane Helene, a quick analysis conducted by scientists from the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Lab suggested that climate change may have contributed to a significant increase in rainfall during this incident. Kathie Dello, North Carolina’s state climatologist, succinctly stated, “We have seen tropical storm impacts in western North Carolina. But these storms are wetter and these storms are warmer… we are measuring rainfall in feet.” This alarming trend indicates that, as climatic conditions evolve, so too does the nature of storm activity, resulting in increasingly severe weather events. Follow AP’s climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The unusual weather patterns experienced in the Southeast United States are attributed to several interacting storm systems, including Hurricane Helene. Meteorologists have begun drawing connections between these intense rainfall events and the broader impacts of climate change, which influence atmospheric moisture levels and storm intensity. Underlying weather systems and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall exacerbated by orographic lift (the elevation effect caused when a storm encounters mountain ranges) contributed significantly to the extremes of this climatic event. Experts have noted a shift in storm behavior, prompting discussions about potential future trends regarding storm severity and frequency due to climate change.
In summary, the recent rainfall event in the Southeast United States, resulting in over 40 trillion gallons of rain, underscores the dramatic impact of increasingly intense storms possibly linked to climate change. The seasonal confluence of Hurricane Helene and prior weather systems exemplifies the changing dynamics of storm patterns, where exceptionally high rainfall totals are becoming alarmingly commonplace. Such events not only exacerbate the risks of flooding and loss of life but also signal a need for heightened awareness regarding the ongoing implications of climate-driven weather changes.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
