Rain again returned in October

Ken Stern | Nov 08, 20230

As in 2022, precipitation returned in October. The 2.4 inches was the most monthly rainfall since February. Over two inches fell in the Oct. 9-25 period. Another 1.2 inches came down Nov. 1-4. Still, the year’s rain deficit is nine inches. October rainfall was 1.1 inches, 31.3%, below the century average of 3.5 inches.

October is typically wet: 10 years this century have had over four inches of rain, six have had five-plus inches and 6.1 inches fell in 2014.

More than three inches of rain has fallen 14 years since 2000. Eight of those years have been since 2014. In 2019 and 2021 over 4.2 inches came down.

This is one of 10 years with less than three inches of rain. Seven years saw less than two inches and the 1.1 inch in 2002 was the least this century.

Rainfall measured at Washington State University’s Memorial Highway Mount Vernon station is 14.6 inches through October, nine inches, 38%, below the January-October century average of 23.6 inches.

The month ended cold, with hard frosts Oct. 26-Nov.1. Oct. 28-31 lows were below 28 degrees. Record lows for their days were set Oct. 27-29. Still, the average monthly minimum temperature of 43 degrees was less than 0.3 degrees below the century average.

There were record highs for the days above 70 degrees, Oct. 7, 8, 13 and 18, but after it reached 65.1 degrees Oct. 19 highs went below 58 degrees and dipped to below 50 degrees three times.

The monthly average high temperature of 60.4 degrees was two degrees above the average for 2000-2023. The 51.3 daily average temperature was about normal for the century.

Measurements and data are at Washington State University’s Mount Vernon weather station on Memorial Highway.

Rain Report:

Rainfall in Oct: 2.4

Number of rain days:16

Rain last week,

Oct. 29-Nov. 4: 1.2

Least rain, one day:

0.01: 4 days

Most rain, one day:

0.7, Oct. 24

Least rain: 1.07, 2002

Most rain: 6.07, 2014