2022 so far much drier in Bay County than 2021, but 7-day forecast shows spike in rain chances
PANAMA CITY — Though Bay County is forecast to experience gloomy weather during the next seven days, 2022 so far is much drier than 2021.
During the next week, there is a 40% to 60% chance of rain every day in Bay County, according to Andy Haner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
During that time, residents can expect an average of about one inch of rain to fall across the region, with higher amounts in isolated areas.
"I would qualify these as above normal rain chances for this time of year," Haner said. "The nature of rain this time of year is that it is highly variable. ... All it takes is a slow-moving thunderstorm getting stuck over one place, and the next thing you know, you've got two or three inches of rain from a single storm."
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He also said rain chances on Friday were the lowest in the seven-day forecast at 40%. They spike to 60% from Saturday to Monday before dropping to 50% on Tuesday. Chances then rise to 60% again on Wednesday and Thursday.
The upcoming forecast did not pose risks of severe weather or flooding for Bay County as of Thursday afternoon.
Haner noted that while the area is expected to experience wet weather the next several days, rainfall totals so far this year are much lower than through the same time period last year.
From the beginning of January to the end of July, 37.17 inches of rain was collected by National Weather Service equipment at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. That total is 10.5 inches less than during the first seven months of 2021.
"The rainfall totals this year are closer to normal," Haner said. "Last year was among the wettest on record in Bay County. Compared to last year, things are drier this year."
He also said Thursday that because there are no named hurricanes or tropical systems currently threatening Bay County, residents should make sure they are appropriately geared up for the peak of hurricane season, which is from mid-August to mid-October.
"The peak of the hurricane season is just ahead of us," Haner said. "Especially while the tropics are quiet right now ... that really makes this the ideal time for people to make sure they have all the supplies they need to avoid runs to the stores and gas stations when there is a threat that comes along."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: NWS: Bay County in for 'above normal rain chances' during next week
