This has been a wet spring. According to records of tree growth, (get records of drought from tree ring growth records at the NOAA site) it rains here quite often; and there have been hot dry spells in the past. The volume of rain is what I am recording here; however it is also important to consider the time period over which the rain accumulates. Most of the rainfall usually occurs here in the fall and winter months. Light rain and mist/fog and/or cloudy conditions are "normal" in the late spring and summer; not repeated torrential downpours like what we have seen here since the end of March. The moderation of weather has changed, along with (search for the word "rainfall") the winter weather. This past year (2004/2005), the winter was drier that most on record. Many of the glaciers in the North Cascades have melted considerably and some have disappeared completely because of a global warming trend. This is the part to be VERY concered about; if you are one of those who think global warming is a "myth" or "not a real problem", you had better take a very close look at this website: to find out more from those who study these things from a scientific standpoint. This condition cannot be made up for by lots of rain in the summer; although it helps the small areas of forest locally by supplying much needed water to the vegegation, the overall larger picture is not that good. So please, do not misinterpret these records as meaning everything is ok, back to "normal" and that "mother nature" is somehow making up for the lost precipitation. These are just records of one small area in one small part of the world; and I have put them here to help to provide a more complete picture of rainfall patterns in the Pacific Northwest. One thing readers might note is the marked difference of rainfall from area to area. For example in Sequim (pronounced "skwim" with a short i like in the word "it") Washington, the rainfall is far less because they are in a "rain shadow". Even ten miles from here may have different totals.

These measurments are taken in an area about 30 miles northeast of Seattle, Washington; near the foothills of the Cascade mountains. (Latitude 47.847996°   Longitude -122.150403°) It is noted that there was very little rain before 2005-03-20. It was basically dry and the weather was almost summer like, clear and sunny; with temperatures in the upper 60's to lower 70's at times. Virtually no snow fell in the mountains and ski areas were closed most of the season. Up to this point this area was very dry. Many of the hemlock trees in this forest have died, they need lots of water to survive. These totals may seem like a lot of rain, but keep in mind that for many months before this there was very little rain. This area is forested but the measurments in "the clearing" are taken in an area approximately .35 acres with trees surrounding. There are also measurements taken in "the forest". "The forest" is an area that includes second growth fir, and hemlock trees approximately 95 years old from approximately 35 feet tall to approximately 85 feet tall and some big leaf maples about 50 feet tall. The containers have straight sides, flat bottoms. This puts the surface area to volume ratio at 1 to 1 in other words if an inch of water is measured inside the container, it will represent an inch of precipitation that has fallen on the ground ( Newton BBS )¹.
Accuracy of measurements: plus or minus five percent of the actual rainfall; precision plus or minus .0150 inches. In the totals, anything over 4 places to the right of the decimal is rounded. Here, a trace of rain refers to the condition where rain fell, but not enough to be accurately measured. ( less than .015 inches ). The containers are checked in the morning, precipitation is measured and then the containers are emptied. Note: The amounts listed for each date represent the amount of rain 24 hours prior to the measurment During periods of fog the containers are not emptied until the fog lifts permanently.
A measuring device and several commercially made rain guages which follow the principles outlined at the beginning of this page are used to record the amounts of precipitation. For the comparisions between the forest and the clearing measurments, a consistant method of measuring is used with a marked ruler in the forest location and in the clearing location. This site is useful for demonstrating the difference between rainfall in the forest and outside of the forest, and for getting a general idea about rainfall.

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1 References:
ProfHoff 634, Ric Rupnik, David R. Cook, Don Yee, Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D., Wendell Bechtold, meteorologist.
"Rain Gauge Design Differences". Online posting. 4/24/2003. Ask A Scientist Weather Archive. accessed 07 Jan. 2006. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/wea00/wea00159.htm

This is a part of the Newton BBS which is here: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov
More scientific information can be found here: http://www.dep.anl.gov/ and here: http://www.aps.anl.gov/

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MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTALS FROM 2005 TO PRESENT (IN A FORESTED AND NON-FORESTED AREA IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY WASHINGTON Latitude 47.847996°   Longitude -122.150403°):
rainfall table for 2005 / 2006
rainfall table for 2007
rainfall table for 2006

PRECIPITATION in 2005:

Monthly totals for 2005

March: 2.5 inches

April: 4.25 inches

May: 5.80 inches

June: 7.3625 inches

July: .795 inches

August: .810 inches

September: 1.715 inches

October: 2.0 inches

November: 8.8765 inches

December: 9.159 inches

2005 total: 43.268 inches

January 2006:
We have had lots of rain in western Washington this past 3 weeks or so. There is a lot of babble on local network television stations about records, amount of rainfall... etc and how it is "mother nature" that is totally responsible for all the destruction from the rain. They are leaving out part of the information. To say that the whole thing is caused by the weather is inaccurate and incomplete; although very convenient when people do not want to take responsibilty for their actions. Precipitation varys considerably from area to area, and it can be in the form of snow, or rain or both. One thing is certain: when the trees and vegetation are removed from an area the results will be devastating when the ground gets saturated with water particularly if there are hills with subsurface clay in the soil structure. The situation is made considerably worse when record amounts of rainfall occur in areas that have been stripped of vegetation for what ever reason. Look at the records posted here in the clearing and in the forest for November 2005 and December 2005 to see for your self how trees and vegetation hold back the destructive effects of erosion and heavy rainfall. The amount of water that hits the ground is nearly three times as much in the clearing as it is in the forest. What does this mean? Clear cuts destroy habitat and create floods and mud-slides that destroy property and harm people. The only "mud" we have here is in the clearing. Even after all this rain there is no mud in the forest.
Comparison of rainfall measurements in "the clearing" and in "the forest":

2005-10-07 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION Comparison: (4 days)
clearing: .0625 inches since 2005-10-03
forest: no measureable precipitation
(here approximately means plus or minus 5%)

2005-10-24 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION Comparison:
clearing: .8075 inches since 2005-10-03
forest: .125 inches plus a "trace" on 2005-10-23
(here approximately means plus or minus 5%)

October totals: 2.0 inches;   .19 inches in the "forest"

November totals: 8.8765 inches;   3.883 inches in the "forest"

Precipitation for November 2005
Date	Clearing measurment (inches)	Forest measurement (inches)
1	.625	.188
2	.563	.313
3	.500	trace
4	.750	.280
5	.500	.125
6	1.375	.875
7	.250	trace
8	0	0
9	trace	0
10	0	0
11	.250	trace
12	.688	.130
13	.500	.125
14	.313	.065
15    foggy	0	0
16    foggy	0	0
17    foggy	0	0
18    foggy	trace	trace
19    foggy	trace	trace
20    foggy	trace	.0625
21    foggy	0	.1250
22    foggy	0	.1875
23    foggy	trace	.1250
24	0	0
25	1.375	.875
27     trace of snow	.250	.0625
28	0	0
29     trace of snow	.625	.156
30	.3125	.1875
November totals	8.8765	3.883

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Precipitation in Inches for December 2005				Test Containers (clearing)
Date	Clearing	Forest	source of water	round	square
2	2.000	0.000	wet snow
3	2.250	0.000	wet snow
5	1.000	0.750	snow melt
6	0.063	0.000	rain
20	0.500	0.031	rain
21	0.875	0.094	rain
22	0.750	0.125	rain
23	0.375	0.160	rain
24	1.156	0.460	rain	1.100	0.900
25	1.188	0.688	rain	1.000	0.800
26	0.563	0.063	rain	0.490	0.400
27	0.438	0.063	rain	0.420	0.360
28	0.688	0.156	rain	0.600	0.420
29	0.250	0.000	rain	0.100	0.130
31	1.313	0.563	rain	1.100	1.000
				4.810	4.010
Dec totals	9.159	3.152
Comparison of precipitation December 24 through 31 in clearing
	5.596			4.810	4.010

2005-03-30, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 10 days there has been approximately 2.5 inches of rain and the temperatures have been near "normal".

2005-04-01, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 2 days there has been approximately .75 inches of rain and the temperatures have been near "normal".

2005-04-03, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 2 days there has been approximately 1 inch of rain and the temperatures have been near "normal".

2005-04-16 10:30 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 2 days there has been approximately 1.5 inches of rain and the temperatures have slightly below "normal".

2005-04-20 7:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 4 days there has been approximately .875 inches of rain. Temps normal and 19th was clear.

2005-04-28 7:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 8 days there has been approximately .125 inches of rain. The 27th was sunny and warm in the afternoon.

2005-05-12 7:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 14 days there has been approximately 1.75 inches of rain. Most of this has been in the past 4 days.

2005-05-16 7:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 4 days there has been approximately 1.85 inches of rain. About half of this was on the 15th.

2005-05-18 4:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
In the last 2 days there has been approximately .60 inches of rain.
Since March 30 2005, there has been approximately 10.95 inches of precipitation here.

2005-05-19 2:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
1 day total since last measure: .45 inches
total since March 20 2005: 11.40 inches

2005-05-20 2:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
1 day total since last measure: .65 inches
total since March 20 2005: 12.05 inches

2005-05-22 2:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
2 day total since last measure: .50 inches
total since March 20 2005: 12.55 inches

2005-06-01 12:30 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on May 22: 1.8 inches
total since March 20 2005: 14.35 inches

2005-06-06 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 1: .25 inches
total since March 20 2005: 14.60 inches

2005-06-08 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 6: .875 inches
total since March 20 2005: 15.475 inches

2005-06-13 9:45 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 8: 1.5 inches
total since March 20 2005: 16.975 inches

2005-06-15 10:30 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 13: .25 inches
total since March 20 2005: 17.225 inches

2005-06-17 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 15: .95 inches
total since March 20 2005: 18.175 inches

2005-06-21 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 17: .1 inches
total since March 20 2005: 18.275 inches

2005-06-22 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 21: 1.463 inches
total since March 20 2005: 19.738 inches

2005-06-23 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 22: .0625 inches
total since March 20 2005: 19.800 inches

2005-06-27 11:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 23: .0620 inches
total since March 20 2005: 20.420 inches

2005-06-29 11:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 27: .0500 inches
total since March 20 2005: 20.470 inches

2005-07-06 06:30 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on June 29: .250 inches
total since March 20 2005: 20.720 inches

2005-07-08 06:30 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on July 6: .240 inches
total since March 20 2005: 20.940 inches

2005-07-16 06:30 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on July 8: .125 inches ( rain on july15 and 16 )
total since March 20 2005: 21.060 inches

2005-07-22 11:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on July 16: .180 inches ( rain on july22 )
total since March 20 2005: 21.340 inches

2005-08-01 1:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on July 22: .06 inches ( no rain since july 22 )
total since March 20 2005: 21.400 inches

2005-08-17 1:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on August 01: .25 inches ( no rain since August 01 )
total since March 20 2005: 21.400 inches

Note:(as of August 17) Since July 8 the total rainfall here has been .615 inches. That is slightly over a half inch in the last 40 days.

2005-08-29 1:00 PM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on August 17: .5 inches
total since March 20 2005: 21.900 inches

Note (as of August 29): Since June 21 ( first day of summer ) the total rainfall here has been 2.625 inches.

2005-08-30 8:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on August 29: Trace of rain.
total since March 20 2005: 21.900 inches

2005-09-05 8:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on August 30: .05 inches. Yesterday ( 2005-09-04 ) considerably more rainfall (.20 inches )was experienced 6 miles south west of this location.
total since March 20 2005: 21.950 inches

2005-09-09 8:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 05: .375 inches ( all .375 inches occured in 2 hours )
total since March 20 2005: 22.275 inches

2005-09-10 8:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 09: .725 inches
total since March 20 2005: 23 inches

2005-09-11 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 10: .19 inches
total since March 20 2005: 23.19 inches

2005-09-16 9:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 11: .125 inches, and there was a trace of rain on the 15th.
total since March 20 2005: 23.315 inches

2005-09-30 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 16: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.2325 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-01 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Sept 30: .0625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.2950 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-02 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 1: .3125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.6075 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-03 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 2: .125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.7325 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-07 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 3: .0625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.7950 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-10 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 7: .0625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.8575 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-11 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 10: .0625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 23.920 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-13 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 11: trace
total since March 20 2005: 23.920 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-15 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 13: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.170 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-19 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 15: .05 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.220 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-20 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 19: 0 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.220 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-23 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 20: .0625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.2825 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-24 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 23: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.5325 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-26 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 24: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.7825 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-28 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 26: .125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 24.9075 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-29 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 28: .125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 25.0325 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-30 10:00 AM pdt, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 29: .125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 25.1575 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-10-31 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 30: .570 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 25.7275 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-01 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Oct 31: .625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 26.3525 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-02 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 1: .563 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 26.9155 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-03 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 2: .500 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 27.4155 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-04 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 3: .750 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 28.1655 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-05 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov4: .500 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 28.6655 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-06 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 05: 1.375 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 30.0405 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-07 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 06: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 30.2905 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-11 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 06: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 30.5405 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-12 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 11: .6875 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 31.228 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-13 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 12: .500 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 31.728 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-14 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 13: .313 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 32.041 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-25 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 14: 1.375 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 33.391 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-27 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 25: .250 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 33.541 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-29 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 27: .625 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 34.166 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).

2005-11-30 10:00 AM pst, PRECIPITATION:
total since last measure on Nov 29: .3125 inches.
total since March 20 2005: 34.4785 inches (corrected 2005-09-30).