PARKERSBURG - The Mid-Ohio Valley has seen an unusual mixture of warm and wet weather this summer.
Rain showers hit early Wednesday morning and again late in the afternoon and into the evening, said John Victory, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston said.
The area received .40 inch of precipitation Wednesday.
Article Photos
Parkersburg Police Officer J.R. Snyder directs traffic at the corner of Fifth and Juliana streets during Wednesday afternoon's thunderstorm while crews attempted to repair a drain collapse. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
''Most of the rain that hit the Parkersburg area came in the morning,'' Victory said.
Heavy storms mostly avoided the Parkersburg area Wednesday afternoon, heading in a more southerly direction and going through Jackson County.
''The Parkersburg area got mostly light rains in the afternoon,'' Victory said.
Local law enforcement agencies did not report any problems because of the rain.
The rain is expected to continue today with a 60 percent chance of precipitation and a high near 91, the weather service said. There is a 30 percent chance for showers overnight with the low reaching 72.
''(Today) should be the last day for the thunderstorms and showers to swing through, then it should be OK for a couple of days,'' Victory said.
There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday with highs in the 90s.
The next likelihood for showers and thunderstorms will not be until Sunday with heavy rainfall possible and a high near 87.
This summer has been unusual mix of hot temperatures and regular rainfall, said Ken Batty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.
''The Parkersburg area has had more heat this summer, but the area has also had ample rainfall,'' he said.
In 2009, there were six days locally with temperatures 90 degrees and hotter. In 2010, there have been 12 days with temperatures in the 90s.
The past winter was one of the colder ones and things turned immediately around in March with warmer than usual temperatures.
This past May was, on average, two degrees warmer than the previous year while June was three degrees warmer and July was five degrees warmer.
''That is quite noticeable,'' Batty said. ''That is significant.''
Rainfall usually results in cooler temperatures, he said.
''I am sure the heat has made the pool people happy and there has been ample precipitation to make the farmers and gardeners happy,'' Batty said.
May had around 7.7 inches of precipitation while the normal amount is just over 4 inches. June had 6.4 inches of rainfall where the normal is around 4 inches. July had 5.3 inches of rainfall while 4.2 is normal.
''Every month (this summer) has been wetter than normal,'' Batty said. ''The local vegetation has benefited with a lot of rounds of showers.''
With more above 90-degree temperatures and more rainfall expected this week, Batty said the area could continue to see these weather trends in the coming weeks.
''We could have 90-degree days through September,'' he said. ''Just because the kids are going back to school, it doesn't mean summer is ending.''
