Weather

New 'normal' climate data shows nearly an inch less snow, more rain, warmer temperatures in the Triangle

The new climate numbers are in for 1991-2020 at RDU, and they show our climate is changing locally.

Posted Updated

By
Kat Campbell
, WRAL meteorologist

Often in weather forecasts on WRAL News, you hear the meteorologist refer to "above normal" and "below normal" temperatures or rainfall. These “normals” reflect an average over the past 30 years as measured at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Every decade, these numbers get a refresh to include the most recent 10 years of data in order to better reflect what is "normal" in our changing climate.

The new climate numbers are in for 1991-2020 at RDU, and they show our climate is changing locally. When compared to the previous 30-year climate normal (1981-2010), RDU is about half a degree warmer (0.4).

New normal shows Triangle is warmer

The precipitation changes are significant as well. Triangle locals regularly comment about how they seem to see less snow lately. We now have the numbers to back that. With the new climate normals, RDU sees 0.7” less snow per year. That is nearly an inch less compared to the previous 30-year normal numbers!

As for rainfall, when compared to the old normal, RDU is wetter. We average 46.07” of rain per year which is 2.73” more than the previous normal of 43.34”. A warming atmosphere can hold more water, which contributes to increasing rainfall across NC.

New normal shows Triangle is wetter

Other interesting findings from the report show that RDU sees more days with extreme temperatures. RDU averages five to six more days at or above 90 degrees and four more days with lows at or below freezing for the year.

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