NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton Roads is close to breaking the record for the wettest March on record following Thursday's washout.
It was a rainy and dreary Thursday across Hampton Roads but it wasn't just any plain old rainy day. Preliminary rainfall totals for our main observation site, Norfolk International Airport, came in at 3.13" from the rain that fell between midnight and 8 p.m. However, it was later adjusted slightly downward to 3.06".
This mid-week system was a complete soaker. Single-day rainfall totals over 3" are somewhat rare: the last time Norfolk International recorded a high daily rainfall total was when the area was drenched by the remnants of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022.
This is the big record from this week. The reading of 3.06" on Thursday -- plus the 0.15" from Wednesday -- has placed March 2024 second only to March 1994 as the wettest ever - total rainfall so far on the month standing at 10.29".
The all-time record? March 1994 saw just a fraction higher total of 10.36 inches.
March 1884 takes third place at 9.13 inches, 1871 is fourth at 8.64 inches, and 1989 lands fifth at 8.5 inches.
Thursday's rainfall also shattered the daily rainfall record for the date which previously was 2" from 1984. On top of that, Thursday's rainfall was the 3rd wettest March day on record.
We have the opportunity for passing showers from Friday through Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday marks the end of March. So, if any of that rain makes it to the Norfolk International Airport and accumulates at least 0.08" of rain, March 2024 would move in the sole number one spot for all-time wettest Marches.
For the latest forecasts for Hampton Roads, visit 13News Now's Weather page.
