From staff reports

Numbers going into record books will say Vicksburg received nearly 5 inches more rainfall than the average for the rest of the state in October.

The 9.64-inch state average was substantial, missing the record by 1/100th of an inch.

Rainfall at the Vicksburg Wastewater Treatment Plant measured 14.47 inches in October, more than four times the local average of 3.8 inches for the month. The state’s normal rainfall in October is 6.58 inches. The record average of 9.65 inches was set in 1984.

Luigi Romolo, regional climatologist at the Southern Regional Climate Center in Baton Rouge, La., said this October might be the wettest one or tied for the wettest, depending on how the numbers are rounded. The difference between the 1984 record and this year’s rainfall in October was “basically a couple of drops,” he said.

November, through today, has thus far been dry and sunny in Vicksburg. The 60 percent chance of rain in the forecast today could result in the first measurable rainfall in the city this month. As of this morning, the monthly rainfall total at the Wastewater Treatment Plant was 0.07 inches. Sunshine is back in the local forecast Tuesday through Thursday, and a 30 percent chance of rain is forecast for Friday through Sunday.

Year to date, Vicksburg has received 43.48 inches of rain. Annual rainfall in the city averages 57.99 inches.