April 2013 will be noted as one of the drier April's on record. It did not end up being one of the top 10 driest April's in Clarksburg, but a 2 inch rain shortfall is definitely noticeable. Temperatures ended up being above the 30-year normal for both highs and lows by several degrees, and after what seemed like an endless winter, we saw no snow in Clarksburg in April (although the mountains did see some light snow through the month).
A dry April has led to much of the northern part of the state being placed in an "abnormally dry" category on this week's drought monitor.
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This category is not officially considered a drought category but it can be a sign that with continued dry weather, drought conditions may develop. We look to stay dry and sunny right through the weekend. A storm which has been plaguing the middle of the country with rain and snow (yes snow in May) will head our way early next week. Right now, it looks like it will pass to our south, taking the really good soaking rains with it. All week the models has been all over the place with this storm, but more and more of them are starting to come on board with a track across the southeastern U.S. Unfortunately for those hoping for some beneficial rains, it looks like we may have to wait a while for a good soaker. The latest forecast for rainfall over the next week has some impressive amounts falling, just not here unfortunately.
Forecasted rainfall through Friday, May 10th
However, a more northward shift to the current forecast track of this storm would mean more rain for us here in the Mountain State. The track is certainly not set in stone yet, but the fact that more and more of the models are jumping on board with this solution may mean we'll have to wait a little longer for a good soaking rain.
