By Rod Hill on 2016-03-28
Multiple reasons to project a drier than normal April and an end to soaking El Nino rains that produced the wettest winter on record at PDX!
The strong El Nino is weakening and all previous El Ninos of near similar strength saw wet winter months produce above normal rainfall in March but not in April. Both the wet El Ninos of 1982-1983 and 1997-1998 fizzled during April and saw a return to more normal Northwest weather.
My projection for April is 2.25 inches of total rainfall for a month that averages 2.73 inches.
As of March 28th, the Water Year total at PDX, dating back to October 1st is: 39.48 inches, a surplus of 13.56 inches! Portland's average rainfall for the entire water season, ending September 30th is 36.03. If PDX did not pick up another drop of rain through this summer, the Water Year would still finish above normal.
Rod Hill
Sunday Winds From The Coast To The Valley - Likely