Source: NC CLIMATE OFFICE, 11/2/18


We nearly felt all four seasons during October, including a warm start, a mid-month tropical storm, the eventual arrival of fall, and the first frost in some areas, which left growers finishing their harvests.

Michael Makes for Wet Weather in the West
The second tropical system passing through North Carolina in as many months delivered another round of dousing rainfall, this time in the western half of the state. The rain from Michael as well as from a low pressure system associated with the remnants of Pacific Hurricane Willa on October 26 contributed to the preliminary statewide average precipitation of 5.40 inches, which ranks as our 15th-wettest October since 1895.

Michael made landfall as a Category-4 hurricane along Florida's Gulf coast on October 10, and when it reached North Carolina, it was still at tropical storm strength. Along with rainfall totals of more than 4 inches, Michael brought strong winds that downed trees and power lines across the western Piedmont.

With a monthly total of 8.67 inches of precipitation, Statesville recorded its 5th-wettest October in the past 108 years, while Boone's 11.07 inches of rain was its 3rd-wettest October in the past 39 years.

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