The Driest Winter Period in Northwest History?

 It hasn't rained (or snowed) in a week.  Next week will also be dry.

Dry in Washington State.  In mid-winter.

Is this the driest mid-winter period in the history of our region?

According to the National Weather Service, the last rain fell in Seattle on January 12th:

And considering the highly skillful European Center forecast, the first rain won't be until January 26:

That is 13 days without precipitation for most locations in western Washington, during the middle of the winter!

Thirteen dry days.

How unusual is this for midwinter (we do this all the time during summer)?

Let's check the numbers for the Northwest wet season (November 1-February 28)

Below is a list of other periods when Seattle has had no precipitation for 13 days in mid-winter: FIVE other years (2005, 2002, 2000, 1993, and 1985).

 What about times when Seattle had only a trace of precipitation over 13 days (a trace is when less than  0.01 inches fall)...something that can be done by a light mist?

Several other years are added.  2025, 1989, 1968, 1963, and 1956

Finally, considering years when only 0.01 inches of precipitation fell (a trace of rain...just enough to make a surface wet), we add 2013, 1994, 1989 (twice), 1976, 1974, 1992, and 1945.

The bottom line of this analysis?

Since 1945 (81 years), we have had 13-day dry periods (0.01 inch or less) about 20 times.  

So it has happened before, roughly once every four years.

Such dry years are scattered over the period and don't appear to have an obvious increasing trend.   This is not climate change.

The current dry period is expected to end, as indicated by the predicted precipitation through February 5 (see below).   

So enjoy the sun while you can.  

I know some folks who are going to be happy with the return to wettness.