Wetter-than-normal year in Pittsburgh region to get worse
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PennDOT officials are dwarfed by the boulders that landed on Route 88 in East Bethlehem, Washington County. PennDOT District 12 executive Joe Szczur said rock is still hanging about 80 feet above the road.
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It's raining, it's pouring, and it's never going to end.
At least not until July.
An already wetter-than-normal year is only going to get worse, says National Weather Service meteorologist John Darnley.
This week's forecast of steady showers is a precipitation pattern that will continue for the next couple of months, according to the National Weather Service's three-month weather outlook.
Mr. Darnley said Pittsburghers can expect a cool and wet summer, with above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures.
"Welcome to Pittsburgh," he said.
The long-term prediction of gloomy, wet skies is just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"[Pittsburgh is] kind of where the heart of the storm tracks are," National Weather Service meteorologist Fred McMullen said.
The storm tracks, or jet streams that carry low pressure systems, are currently situated across the Ohio Valley, meaning the storms "come right over top of us," Mr. McMullen said.
While Pittsburgh is no stranger to wet and rainy weather -- April only had eight dry days -- this year has been wetter than usual.
Since the beginning of the year, Pittsburgh has gotten more precipitation than usual, with 20.7 inches. The normal amount is closer to 13 inches.
So far, May has seen 3.2 inches, about twice the normal amount. And if it continues to rain at the same pace -- with showers predicted for the next five days, it seems likely -- this month could break the record for highest rainfall for May.
According to the National Weather Service, 1858 is the year to beat: 6.6 inches of rain fell in May of that year. More recently, the area got 6.56 inches of rain in May 1989.
While the extra rain could make this May a record-setter, it also has been a detriment to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crews and other businesses that need sunshine.
First Published May 17, 2011 12:00 am
