By Rod Hill on 2013-12-15
Portland (PDX) has received just 5.27 inches of total precipitation since the start of the water year, back on October 1st. The total is an unforeseen 5.98 inches below normal or only 47 percent of the 11.25 inches that would be considered average.
Here at the monthly totals for Portland for the current water year. (October 1st - Sept. 30th)
October: 1.15 inches of rain / -1.85 inches below normal
November: 3.05 inches / -2.58 inches below normal
December: 1.07" so far / -1.55 inches below normal
Current forecast charts show precipitation picking up a bit the final two weeks of December, but not enough to erase the deficit in place. Snowfall on Mt. Hood has also been surprisingly scarce over the past 2 1/2 months. Total snow that has fallen to date at Timberline Lodge is only 89 inches, which is far below the 170 inch total posted last season through mid-December. Currently, Mt. Hood resorts report roughly 2 feet of snow on the ground.
As we move forward, realize we have plenty of time to catch up and perhaps even finish with a wet season. Remember that recent years have shown a shift of heavy rainfall and mountain snow into the spring months of March and April.
Freezing Rain Possible Thursday Afternoon