As promised, let’s review some rainfall totals from May from your friends and neighbors: Claudia Chiasson, Carson, 2.35 inches; Tyler Mode, Battle Ground, 1.30 inches; Bob Starr, Cougar, 1.82 inches; Phil Delany, Dole Valley, 1.90 inches; Robin Ruzek, Lake Shore, .88 of an inch; Pete Conrad near Tukes Mountain, 1.22 inches; Merle Moore, two miles west of Yacolt, 2.15 inches; Dave Campbell, one mile west of Heisson, 1.49 inches; Judy Darke, Felida, .79 of an inch; Larry Lebsack, Barberton, 1.08 inches; Bob Mode, Minnehaha, .81 of an inch; Murphy Dennis, near Clark County Rifles, 1.80 inches; Ellen Smart, Ridgefield, .85 of an inch; Tom Dixon, Amboy, 2.61 inches; Irving St. Germain, Prune Hill, 1.05 inches; Gary Collins, Brush Prairie, 1.36 inches; Jim Knoll, Five Corners, .88 of an inch; Dan Hein, Camas, 3.26 inches; and our friend, Roland Derksen, from the Vancouver up north, with .42 of an inch. I measured .77 of an inch here in Salmon Creek.
Overall, May was a dry month for most observers. Bob Starr in Cougar says his average May rainfall is 6.13 inches. Roland Derksen of Vancouver, B.C., said it was his driest May in decades of weather records. He also noted that the Vancouver Harbor station only measured .08 of an inch, which is incredible.
We all know everyone is running way behind for year to date rainfall and the water year that began last October is falling short as well.
No rain in sight
There have been a number of wildfires already in Washington and Oregon; fortunately, they’ve been small and were quickly put out. That will surely change in the coming days, as no rain is in sight. Readers have told me their dahlias are beginning to bloom well in advance. Hikers are reaping gorgeous views of wildflowers in full bloom already. At this rate, the wild huckleberries will be ripe earlier than usual as well.
