Light rain concludes monthlong dry spell

The trace rainfall, between 0.02 and 0.2 inches, isn't nearly enough to end the drought.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 11, 2000

The light rain that fell for several hours early Friday was the first in many parts of the Tampa Bay area in more than a month, National Weather Service officials said.

About 0.08 inches of rain fell at the Tampa International Airport between 4 and 6 a.m. Friday, said weather service meteorologist Dan Sobien.

Rainfall around the Tampa Bay area ranged from 0.02 to 0.2 inches, with coastal areas receiving the most.

It hasn't rained in St. Petersburg since Oct. 7, when trace amounts scattered the downtown area and suburbs, Sobien said.

The last measurable rainfall occurred Sept. 29, when the area received 0.5 inches.

The unusually dry weather has been caused by a ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, which has prevented fronts of air from moving through and producing rain, Sobien said.

Friday's light rainfall was produced by a cold front.

"Every little bit of rain helps, Sobien said, "but we're not going to get enough over the next few days to get rid of drought conditions."

The 0.06 inches of rain that fell last month marks the third driest October since the weather service started keeping records, Sobien said.

The normal amount of October rainfall in the Tampa Bay area is 2.28 inches.

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