Expect scattered showers and temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s today, with drier weather heading into the weekend, according to Art Gaebel, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

The brief downpours are a result of a low-pressure system coming south from the Gulf of Alaska, Gaebel said Wednesday. This August has been wetter than normal – an August in any given year should yield 1.1 inch of rainfall measured at Sea-Tac Airport. Gaebel estimated this month’s rainfall will be double that figure.

Jeff Grover, recreation director at Fircrest Community Center, lamented the showers. The center’s pool, a popular cool-off destination, was closed Wednesday due to the weather. On Monday, 10 people came for the afternoon open swim; on Tuesday, eight showed up. The average turnout, Grover said, is 40-plus swimmers.

“It hasn’t been the most ideal summer for an outdoor pool,” he said.

At YMCA Camp Seymour on Key Peninsula, the rain dampened outdoor overnight camping trips and other camp activities. Camp director Scott Jackson said some groups of campers were forced to return to their cabins early from an overnight trip Tuesday night.

“We maybe had two groups that came back with a little bit of flooding in their overnight shelters,” Jackson said. “They came back to sleep in cabins.”

Camper Drew Vagen, 12, said that although rain is inevitable in Washington’s climate, she’s still disappointed in the weather.

“I know it’s part of Washington, but it’s kind of sad because it’s August and it’s not supposed to rain in August,” Vagen said.

Added 10-year-old camper Calvin Hewitt: “This morning I woke up and my shoes had puddles in them. It’s just kind of annoying.”

A group of 26 day campers visiting Point Defiance Park on a field trip were a little more gung-ho: The 8- to- 11-year-olds planned to do wildlife sketching and photography at the park’s lagoon Wednesday afternoon. As soon as they got off the bus, the sky started pouring.

So instead they played in the rain.

“The kids like it – it’s refreshing,” said 15-year-old counselor Zach Troyer of Tacoma.

The weeklong camp, called Art Naturally, is part of a summer-long series sponsored by the Tacoma Nature Center.

Eight-year-old Korissa Burns of Tacoma ran barefoot over a dirt path, with only her Hannah Montana T-shirt and pink sweat pants to protect her from the elements.

“It’s better to play in the rain,” she said. “It’s more fun to get wet than to be hot.”

Jennifer Rivers of Tacoma watched her 8-year-old son, Dylan, frolic and tackle other campers on the soaked grass.

“He’s very flexible about the weather,” she said. “Ninety degrees doesn’t slow him down, and this won’t, either.”

Counselor Nataly Brockwell of Tacoma was a little bummed about the rain.

“It’s kind of sad – I love the sun and I love the heat,” said the 16-year-old student at Washington High School, which starts Sept. 2.

However, she added, the young campers weren’t as affected by the weather – an observation proved by a rousing group rendition of “Singin’ in the Rain.”

“They’re kids; they won’t melt,” she said. “They’ll just be stinky on the bus.”

Joyce Chen: 253-597-8633

News Tribune intern LaShonna McBride contributed to this story.