By Rod Hill on 2012-05-31
As of noon today, May 31st, PDX has received 14.51" of rainfall since March 1st. The total becomes the all-time wettest meteorological spring, ( March, April, May), at PDX since records began in 1940. Normal precipitation through the period is 8.88 inches. Basically, we have received nearly 2 extra months of rainfall since March 1st. Last year's wet spring dropped 14.30"of rain. The old record is 14.50", back in 1997.
Here is the break down of spring rain this year:
March 7.89" - all time PDX record and 4.21" above normal
April 3.25", .52" above normal
May so far 3.37", .90" above normal
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Here is a break down of wet days this spring and 2011:
March - May 2011 had 65 days with measurable rainfall.
March - May 2012 , 52 days with measurable rainfall.
Here is the difference of the last two springs: 2011 had 8 heavy rain days of .50" or greater. Zero days had an inch of water. This spring has had 9 days, including 3 days with 1.00" of rain or greater! Of course making the list was the 1.03" of rain from thunderstorms on May 26th.
Outlooks continue to call for below normal rainfall June, July & August.
A Word About May & Summer Update