By Rod Hill on 2011-12-30
Now that we have passed the half-way point through December, it is time to look at what could be the driest December in the record books, dating back to 1871! As of Dec. 16th, PDX has received .06" of rainfall. The December average is 5.71" and typically the wettest month of the year. Current forecast charts on this date give Portland at most an additional .50" of rain for the month. If true, PDX would shatter the all time December dry record!
Here are the driest Decembers on record for Portland, dating back to 1871:
1. .88" - 1876
2. 1.38" - 1976 (an El Nino year, this year is La Nina)
3. 1.90" - 1944
4. 2.19" - 1985
5. 2.37" - 1988
6. 2.40" - 1990
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To date, Portland has also seen below normal daily temperatures each day. The current mean temperature is 36 degrees. Although quite chilly, not cold enough to crack into the top 5 list of coldest Decembers.
Coldest Decembers at PDX (dating back to 1941):
1. 33.0 degrees - 1985 (Neutral)
2. 34.7 degrees - 1990
3. 35.3 degrees - 1978
4. 35.6 degrees - 2009 (El Nino)
5. 36.4 degrees - 1983
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Interesting that none of the coldest Decembers, occurred in La Nina years, in fact all but one were neutral seasons.
Winter Begins