Mother Nature isn’t offering much assistance. The latest precipitation forecast for the initial three months of 2025 predicts drier-than-average conditions for a large portion of the southern regions, posing further challenges for drought-stricken areas. Conversely, wetter-than-average conditions are anticipated for the northern areas, potentially alleviating drought from the Northern Plains through the Midwest to the Northeast. The hope is for a wetter weather pattern to emerge in the South during the spring of 2025, bringing more precipitation and aiding in drought mitigation.
One significant issue that emerged is the occurrence of fewer deadly flood events. In the United States, flooding ranks as the second deadliest weather phenomenon, following only heat. However, this year’s statistics show a concerning increase in fatalities compared to previous years. The National Weather Service reported a staggering 166 deaths attributed to floods, sharply contrasting with the 30-year average of 89 fatalities annually. The year witnessed one of the most catastrophic flood events on record as Hurricane Helene made its way from Florida northward into the Appalachians, causing widespread devastation.
Multiple regions across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas experienced over 12 inches of rainfall, with Busick, North Carolina, recording a remarkable 30.78 inches. On a distressing note, on September 27, the National Weather Service issued more than 20 flash flood emergencies, marking the highest level of flood alert in 13 years. The day saw close to 100 fatalities, hundreds of homes destroyed, and entire communities like Asheville, North Carolina, severely impacted.
Researchers estimated that the rainfall from Hurricane Helene was at least 50% higher due to the effects of climate change. Despite ongoing predictions of extreme rainfall events, the hope remains for a decrease in flood-related fatalities in the upcoming year.
Caitlin Kaiser, a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with degrees in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, embarked on her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com, bringing her expertise and knowledge to the field.
