Source: Corey Davis, NC CLIMATE OFFICE, 7/8/19


The most extreme site in North Carolina has added another item to its resume. After a recent review by a committee of statewide scientists, Mount Mitchell's annual precipitation total of 139.94 inches in 2018 has been confirmed as the wettest calendar year on record anywhere in the state.

Mount Mitchell is already a record-holder for its altitude -- at 6,684 feet, it's the highest point east of the Mississippi River -- and its extreme weather, including the state's record low temperature (-34°F on January 21, 1985) and one-day snowfall (36 inches on March 13, 1993).

Now, it has also earned a spot in the record books for its more than 11 feet of total precipitation last year, standing out as the wettest spot in our state's wettest year.

While 2018 in North Carolina was notable for the two tropical systems -- Florence and Michael -- that passed through, it was a wet year even well before those storms hit, especially high atop Mount Mitchell.

All but two months (March and June) had above-normal precipitation, and by early August, Mitchell had already exceeded its normal annual precipitation of 74.16 inches. The final observed total of 139.94 inches was nearly double that, but as with all potential state records -- including a single-event snowfall total from Mitchell that was rejected in 2016 -- this value was subject to further review.

For the full report, click here.