The region entered the second-longest dry spell on record Wednesday and might have a shot at the driest stretch ever recorded if the rain holds off into next week.
Wednesday marked 45 days without precipitation, but meteorologists said the weather could turn wet early next week, with a chance of showers Sunday and Monday.
No guarantees though.
“This is going to be closer than the presidential election,” University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass said. “You will tell your grandchildren that you lived through this.”
If the region makes it through Tuesday without rain, it would tie the longest dry spell in the Seattle-Tacoma area at 51 days. That record was set in 1951. Next Wednesday would be uncharted territory as far as dry weather goes in traditionally soggy Western Washington.
It’s expected to be warm and dry for the next couple of days. Temperatures will remain in the high 70s today and rise into the low 80s Friday.
The warm, dry weather has prompted Metro Parks Tacoma to keep six popular spraygrounds open daily through Sunday.
Hours are from 10 a.m. until a half hour after sunset.
The parks are Jefferson Park, 801 N. Mason St.; McKinley Playfield, 4321 E. McKinley Ave.; Norpoint Park, 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E.; South Park, 4851 South Tacoma Way; Wapato Hills Park, 6321 S. Wapato St.; and Wright Park, 501 South I St.
The parks normally operate only on weekends in September.
The city of Fircrest also has announced it will open the city pool from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. The pool usually closes after Labor Day.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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