Rain made semi-regular appearances during the month of July in Nanaimo. (Jamie Penner)

By Ian Holmes

let it rain

July finally brings rain to Nanaimo region

Aug 1, 2019 | 6:37 AM

NANAIMO — A recent trend of next to no local rainfall in July reversed with a steady dose of precipitation last month.

24.3 mm of rain fell in July at Nanaimo Airport, almost bang on the historical average, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald.

“That’s the first July in several years dating back to 2015 that we’ve seen near normal amounts,” MacDonald told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Barely any rain fell on the mid island during the previous two July’s, which is typically the driest month of the year.

Not a drop of precipitation was recorded in Nanaimo in July, 2013, according to Environment Canada.

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Nanaimo saw its wettest July in four years with just over 24mm of precipitation collected at Nanaimo Airport. (NanaimoNewsNOW/Environment Canada)

Despite coming off a month with semi-regular rainfall, MacDonald cautioned its been a much drier year than usual.

“January all the way through June were very dry months. Even though we’ve done a little bit of catching up these drought conditions are still ongoing and long lasting.”

MacDonald said Nanaimo was in fact one of the drier places on Vancouver Island in July. He said Comox for example saw 48 mm of rain last month.

He said a lack of strong ridges of high pressure over the province resulted in an unusual first half of summer with the absence of extended hot, dry spells.

A brief heat wave is expected on the mid island between Sunday and Wednesday, according to MacDonald.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes