³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle has dealt with more than 130 days of measurable rain

Apr 18, 2017, 1:29 PM | Updated: 4:31 pm

measurable rain...

(File, Associated Press)

(File, Associated Press)

Tuesday marked the 139th day since Oct. 1 that Seattle has received measurable precipitation.

RELATED: Canada glacier melt rerouted in rare case of ‘river piracy’

The National Weather Service in Seattle reports that the previous highest total between Oct. 1 (the start of the) and April 30 was 137 days. That record was set in 1998-1999 and 2010-2011.

Though it is a lot of rain, there have actually been surprisingly few record-breaking days. posted on University of Washington Climatologist Cliff Mass’ blog shows that while there have been many days with rain, few have reached daily records. Take the month of March, for example, where it rained for the bulk of the month, but hardly at record levels.

Western Washington isn’t alone in its struggle for more pleasant weather. Record-breaking precipitation has been recorded up and down the West Coast, including California, where media outlets have pointed out that the state went from an extreme drought to record rainfall.

Some are blaming climate change on the drastic change in weather. , a water expert and senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California pointed out that the state’s dry spells are drier, and rainy periods even wetter.

“That is consistent with what the climate simulations are suggesting would be a consequence for California under a warming planet,” Jeffrey Mount told the Times.

But Cliff Mass argues that this winter was no extreme. There were just plenty of, what he calls, “modest events.”

Mass writes, “… the origin of the persistent precipitation is no mystery — it was due to a very persistent and anomalous upper atmospheric circulation pattern.”

He goes on to argue that if the constant precipitation were caused by global warming, we could expect to see trends in precipitation.

Mass concludes, “there is no scientific evidence or reason to believe that recent variations in precipitation have anything to do with global warming.”

MyNorthwest News

what to watch weekend rust alec baldwin...

Frank Sumrall

What to watch this weekend, and what to do with Alec Baldwin’s now-released ‘Rust’

“Rust" is finally in theaters, but unfortunately, its incapable of escaping the tragedy that was the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

5 hours ago

Seattle police are investigating a shooting near Franklin High School in the 2800 block of Rainier ...

Frank Lenzi

Man shoots suspected burglar at Seattle apartment

A man shot a suspected burglar in the leg early Friday morning at an apartment complex in Seattle.

17 hours ago

Bernese Mountain Dog...

Frank Lenzi

VIDEO: Tacoma Police save Bernese Mountain Dog stuck on rocks

A Bernese Mountain Dog had a ruff day last week. It somehow got stuck on some cold, wet rocks at Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park. Police came and saved the dog.

18 hours ago

PETA UW...

Julia Dallas

UW to release names of animal committee members to PETA, raising research concerns

UW will have to disclose the names of its animal welfare committee to PETA after a 3-year-long legal battle.

18 hours ago

Clark County Sheriff - Cowlitz Tribe police chief...

James Lynch

Cowlitz Tribe police chief found dead from self-inflicted gunshot, tied to possible sex crime

Cowlitz Tribe Police Chief Charles Gardiner found dead from self-inflicted gunshot, investigation linked to possible sex crime.

19 hours ago

Princess Diana...

Julia Dallas

MOPOP hosts ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance to see Princess Diana memorabilia

MOPOP is offering a rare opportunity to see Princess Diana's memorabilia before it's sold at auction.

19 hours ago

Seattle has dealt with more than 130 days of measurable rain