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Monday's rain ended a dry streak in Seattle, clocking in the first measurable rain at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport since June 20, according to the National Weather Service.
"In the summer it's definitely our drier period. We usually see a front or two that brings in some precipitation, so not too atypical, I guess you could say," NWS Meteorologist Trent Davis said. "But over time we're seeing more warm stretches, allowing [fuels] to dry out more year after year, so that's something that keeps changing and that we'll have to just keep watching here."
Davis said the rain may mitigate fire danger for a week or two, especially in the Olympics, but won't make up for the below-normal precipitation on record for spring and summer so far.
The state's Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for watersheds in 12 counties Monday including Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima.
Read more: https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/drought-declaration-twelve-washington-counties/281-bb727066-c170-4d6e-bdbc-4661fb76594b