By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka’s late spring and summer weather has been wetter than in most years – but far from a record, the National Weather Service reports.
“It has seemed wetter than normal and most of Southeast has tended that way,” said Brian Bezenek, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Juneau.
Sitka received 8.27 inches of rain from June 1 through July 22, the 16th wettest for the same period since measurements started in 1944.
That’s far off the record for that time: a whopping 15.09 inches, set in 1961. The 30-year average is 5.65 inches.
And the statistics recorded are not far from what was predicted before the summer – and what’s in store for the next several weeks.
“It’s close to what we were anticipating: slightly wetter than normal,” Bezenek said. “There’s a bias toward wetter than normal – the wet weather will continue and temperatures near normal or slightly above normal for Southeast.”
As for the immediate future, Bezenek said, Sitkans can expect light rain today to taper off for a brief break tonight and into Friday. Saturday night and Sunday an “atmospheric river” – or heavy rain – is expected for the area.
“It wouldn’t be uncommon for it to drop a few inches,” Bezenek said. “It’ll be a good day for indoor activities Sunday, unless you like playing in the rain.”
