THE UNPRECEDENTED RAINS IN VIRGINIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE CAMILLE

Abstract

The rainfall and synoptic features of the unprecedented Virginia storm associated with the remnants of hurricane Camille are analyzed. Comparisons with alltime record-breaking rains in the United States and probable maximum precipitation estimates are made. The rains of this storm are shown to come within 80 to 85 percent of the probable maximum precipitation for a duration of 12 hr for areas up to 1,000 mi2. Persistent low-level moisture feeding into the remains of Camille's cyclonic circulation was found to be close to the maximum persisting value for the season and location. The passage of the remnant low-pressure system a little to the south of the rain area resulted in low-level flow from the southeast which made it possible to utilize the high moisture, with some orographic intensification, without depletion by upwind barriers. Apparently, in addition to the very high moisture values, a number of synoptic and mesoscale weather factors operated properly to produce the remarkable rainfall.