2012 was a year of mysteries and surprises weatherwise in
White County. Reviewing highlights, the year started with a
remarkable swing in temperatures . On January 2nd, the
high temperature was 60 degrees. Two days later the high was
only 27 degrees.
By the middle of the month, the weather was so
mild that daffodils and other spring flowers were
already above ground with several blooms opening. Wild
temperature swings and other anomalies would
characterize the rest of the year's weather.
The yo-yo temperature patterns apparently took their toll
on local vineyard grapes. According to WRWH News, David
Harris of Blackstock Vineyards was quoted regarding
reasons for closing their business: " ..." In the end, we
have suffered from repeated crop losses due to the
exceptionally warm winters and the early bud-break dates.
This has resulted in normal frost dates having a devastating
effect to our crop..."
The most notable temperature event was the record-
breaking heat wave in June and July. Temperatures at all
three official stations broke all-time records.
Rainfall patterns were remarkably unusual as well.
Normally, Helen records the most annual rainfall
and WRWH Radio in Cleveland records the least. This
year saw dramatic reversals of this pattern. Rainfall totals
continued to diminish and by summer's end, White
County was again in a mild drought. As the rainfall deficit
grew, the county slipped into a severe drought by early
December. Ironically, December turned out to be the wettest
month of the year.
Temperatures were markedly extreme this year.
Yet when all the numbers were added and subtracted, the
overall average temperature for the year was exactly normal.
Our average high temperature was 67.7 degrees, which was 0.9
degrees below normal. The highest temperature recorded
was 102 degrees on June 30th and July 1st at Helen City
Hall, the highest temperature ever recorded in its 56-year
history. Also 102 degrees was recorded at WRWH Radio in
Cleveland on July 1st and 2nd, the highest in its 13-year
history of temperature records.
Sautee recorded 100 degrees on July 2nd, the highest
temperature ever at that station in its 15-year history.
Average low temperature was 46.2 degrees which was
0.9 degrees above normal. Lowest recorded temperature was
12 degrees, recorded at WRWH in Cleveland on January 4th and
February 13th.
Our last spring frost occurred on April 14th. The latest
spring frost on record was May 5th, 2011.Our first
autumn frost occurred November 2nd. Our earliest autumn
frost on record was October 14th, 2006.
Altogether, an average rainfall total of 56.52 inches,
was recorded, 11.36 inches below normal. Highest
24-hour rainfall was 6.38 inches on October 2nd at WRWH
Radio in Cleveland. The wettest month was December when an
average of 7.31 inches of rain fell, some 1.32 inches
above normal.
6 of the past 7 years have ended with rainfall deficits.
2009 was the exception with a 16-inch surplus. Even with the
2009 figures, White County is missing some 49 inches of
rainfall for the 7-year period.
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ANNUAL WEATHER SUMMARY FOR 2012 FOR WHITE COUNTY
RAINFALL FOR 2012:
Cleveland (WRWH Radio 1350)-----------59.89"
Helen City Hall-----------------------54.12"
Sautee Weather Station----------------55.54"
______ County Average for the Year---------- 56.52"
NORMAL ANNUAL RAINFALL--------------- 67.88"
______
DEPARTURE-------------------------- -11.36" (DEFICIT) _________________________________________________________
NOTES: A) The greatest 24-hr. rainfall was 6.38 inches
recorded on October 2nd at WRWH in Cleveland.
B) The wettest month was December when the county
received an average of 7.31 inches of rain
which was 1.04 inches above normal.
C) 2012 ended with a rainfall deficit for the third
consecutive year. All but 1 year since and
including 2006 have ended with a deficit. Due to
a short-lived El Nino event in September, 2009,
that year ended with a significant surplus.
D) Altogether for the entire 7-year period (2006
through 2012), there is an overall deficit of
some 49 inches. This includes the rainfall figures
for the 2009 "El Nino" year.
_____________________________________________________
TEMPERATURES FOR 2012:
Cleveland (WRWH Radio 1350)
Average High Temperature-----------65.8 degrees
(Highest Temperature: 102 degrees on 7/1 and 7/2)
Average Low Temperature-----------46.1 degrees
(Lowest Temperature: 12 degrees on 1/4 and 2/13)
Helen City Hall
Average High Temperature-----------71.0 degrees
(Highest Temperature: 102 degrees on 6/30 and 7/1)
Average Low Temperature-----------46.8 degrees
(Lowest Temperature: 14 degrees on 1/5)
Sautee Weather Station
Average High Temperature-----------66.2 degrees
(Highest Temperature: 100 degrees on 7/2 )
Average Low Temperature-----------45.6 degrees
(Lowest Temperature: 14 degrees on 1/4 and 2/12)
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WHITE COUNTY TEMPERATURE AVERAGES FOR 2012
Average 2012 High Temperature--------67.7 degrees Normal Annual High Temperature--------68.6 degrees
____________
Departure---------------------------- -0.9 degrees
Average 2012 Low Temperature---------46.2 degrees Normal Annual Low Temperature---------45.3 degrees
____________
Departure----------------------------- +0.9 degrees
NOTES: A) Last Freezing Temp Date of Spring: April 14th.
B) First Freezing Temp Date of Fall:November 2nd.