Who'll Stop The Rain? El Niño, Apparently.

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Despite hitting the average temperature range for the early part of November, the weather in Pierce County is unusually dry for early Fall — leading some residents to ask, "Where's the rain?"

According to the National Weather Service, Pierce County residents can expect some precipitation this week with heavy showers expected Tuesday night and Wednesday; but with a November average of more than 6 inches, and more than 10 inches measured in 2017, this year's dry spell is a stark contrast.

Rainfall in January and April this year appear to have exceeded averages, based on measurements reported by SeattleWeatherBlog.com, but every other month shows averages well below what's normal.

While it started out rather dry, October ended up meeting its usual rainfall average of just over 3 inches. May, July, and August — though typically dry months anyway, relative to the rest of the year — were especially dry in 2018, with May in particular reporting less than a quarter-inch, which wasn't even remotely close to the average rainfall of nearly 2 inches for the month.

Identified as an El Niño year, 2018 could be drier than normal in many areas across the Pacific Northwest.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has given Pierce County a 55 percent chance of hitting above normal temperatures (roughly 40 degrees) for December, January, and February. Conversely, NOAA has given Pierce County a 29 percent chance of hitting temperatures at or near the average range, and only a 16 percent chance of hitting temperatures below 39 degrees.

The warmest November temperature recorded in Pierce County last year occurred Nov. 22 when the mercury hit a high of 70 degrees. Highs in the 60s and upper 50s were also reported on several days before the month ended, according to usclimatedata.com.

Highs this week, NWS forecasters report, should stick to the low 50s during the day before dropping into the low 40s and high 30s each night.

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