Rainfall returns to region

Track precipitation and other local weather data from Pearson Field.

For just the second time in almost two months, measurable rainfall fell across Clark County on Saturday.

Vancouver’s Pearson Field had recorded 0.16 of an inch of rain by Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Portland. Other parts of the county recorded higher totals — Battle Ground, for example, saw nearly half an inch of rain as of about 3 p.m. Saturday, according to the weather service.

Forecasters expected the chance of showers to continue into Sunday.

Before Saturday, Vancouver had seen just 0.04 of an inch of precipitation since June 3. The only other instance of measurable rain occurred overnight late July 12 into early July 13.

Unusually hot, dry conditions have caused high fire danger and low stream flows across the region so far this summer. This weekend’s rain could bring some relief, particularly for fire danger, but state officials still expect difficult days ahead. Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency in May.

Even with Saturday’s rain, Vancouver has recorded less precipitation since May 1 than Phoenix, Ariz., according to the weather service.

The cool, showery weather will be short-lived. Temperatures in Clark County are expected to climb back into the 90s by midweek, according to the weather service.