Run for rainy-day record ends at 27

Monday, January 16, 2006

Run for rainy-day record ends at 27
After a month of moisture, a little sun goes a long way

By CLAUDIA ROWE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Though temperatures were bracing and charcoal-colored clouds hovered all day, after nearly four straight weeks of rain, Sunday's dry weather tempted hundreds into the pallid sunshine -- and reset the countdown for the record number of consecutive days of rain.

Resolute exercisers marched up and down Alki, bundled against the wind. Green Lake bustled with dog walkers as a lone Frisbee player practiced tricks on the saturated grass.


		Jim Bryant / P-I
	Clear skies Sunday over Green Lake in Seattle lured out bicyclists, joggers -- and Ed Sullivan. His latex gloves change the drums' sound.

"Actually, I'd kind of like it to rain today, so we can make the record," said John Blower, who bats around his plastic disc regardless of the weather. "It's Seattle's year, right? Kind of goes hand and hand with the Seahawks -- and you know, I think I just felt a few sprinkles."

But the rain record will stand -- at least for now.

The official weather report showed no precipitation Sunday, though a flood watch was still in effect for most of Western Washington. The National Weather Service at Sea-Tac Airport had counted 27 straight days of rain, shy of 1953's record of 33.

Forecasters predicted that rain would return after midnight and continue well into the week.

On Alki Beach, afternoon amblers were ambivalent about a break from the wet -- after 27 straight days, they said, why not soak up seven more and mark the history books?

But for Larissa Letaw and Carrie Brittingham, who have assigned themselves the generally thankless task of asking for donations to help save Woodland Park's rabbits, a break in the weather meant a sunnier reception from passers-by.

"Usually, we get a lot of comments, like 'Why don't you use arsenic?' " Letaw said. "People seem to be in a better mood today."

Still, the effects of nearly four weeks of relentless rain kept road crews and transportation workers busy through the holiday weekend mending cracked highways south and west of Seattle. Mudslides north of the city forced Amtrak to cancel train service to Everett and Vancouver, B.C. Sound Transit train service between Everett and Seattle for today was canceled.

P-I reporter Claudia Rowe can be reached at 206-448-8320 or claudiarowe@seattlepi.com.

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