Press release from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship foundation
LINVILLE — After an immensely rainy year in 2013, Grandfather Mountain rainfall rebounded to below-normal precipitation levels in 2014, according to weather data collected at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
The mountain recorded 50.62 inches of precipitation in 2014, including 8.27 inches in July, the rainiest month.
That was about 20 percent below the mountain’s 59-year average annual rainfall, 64.49 inches, and nearly 60 percent lower than last year’s whopping 85.95 inches.
The mountain’s one-day rain record still stands at 11.3 inches on Sept. 8, 2004.
Wind
Grandfather Mountain recorded one gust above 100 mph early in 2014. On Jan. 25, a gust of 104 mph was charted by an automated weather station at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
The record wind speed at that location is 120.7, set in December 2012.
Winds gusted above 60 mph at least 73 days in 2014.
Temperatures
A place known for its temperature swings, Grandfather Mountain experienced a temperature range of 93 degrees in 2014.
The highest temperature recorded at the Mile High Swinging Bridge was 75.28 degrees on July 1, and the lowest temperature was -17.89 on Jan. 6, a result of the Polar Vortex.
Grandfather Mountain did not beat its record low (-32 degrees) or its record high (83.2 degrees) in 2014.
The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain.
For more information, call 800-468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com.
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