Light Rain

Light rain is forecast for Bremerton for four of the next five days (see Seattle Times weather graphic). We get that forecast a lot. I wonder if the humans (or computer) who created the forecast can define what light rain is.

Today I did some errands, went for a bike ride, and, shielded by an umbrella, checked around the outside of my house for any flooding or leaks. If the weather people are interested, here is my take on what light rain is and what it isn’t:

• Light rain is running your windshield wipers on intermittent. It isn’t running them on regular (and sometimes high).
• Light rain is wearing a jacket and perhaps a hat. It isn’t getting soaked because you aren’t carrying an umbrella.
• Light rain is well functioning gutters and downspouts. It isn’t roof runoff that goes where it pleases.
• Light rain is a cat that goes outside. It isn’t an annoyed kitty that blames you because he won’t.
• Light rain is damp roads. It isn’t ankle-deep water in gutters, overflowing wheel ruts in asphalt, whirlpools around storm drains, and streams in roadside ditches.
• Light rain is hanging up your bike clothes to dry after a bike ride. It isn’t tossing everything, from socks to helmet cover, straight into the dryer.
• Light rain is being unconcerned about how far you park from the entrance to Safeway. It isn’t wishing you had a handicapped parking placard.
• Light rain is measurable precipitation. It isn’t a two-inch day.
• Light rain is de rigueur Western Washington. It isn’t what we are experiencing today.