The forecast might not show it this week, but Sequim’s rainfall so far in 2011 is a few months ahead of the past two years.

In data provided by the City of Sequim, rainfall totals as of May 16 show about 12.11 inches of rain has fallen this year.

Rainfall didn’t reach this level in 2009 or 2010 until nearly October. The annual rain totals were 19.25 inches in 2009 and 17.14 inches in 2010.

This month, Sequim’s Water Reclamation Facility reports that 2.7 inches of rain has fallen up to May 16. This past weekend, May 14 had 0.76 inches and May 15 had 0.85 inches of rain.

Sequim is known in the Pacific Northwest for its “blue hole” rainshadow due to the Olympic Mountains, with businesses promoting its uncharacteristically low 15 inches of average rainfall per year.

In the past 10 years, Sequim’s total rainfall has been above 15 inches only four times but all were within the last five years.

Statistically, rain is heaviest in the fall and winter months in Sequim. If the June-December rainfall remains consistent with 2009 and 2010, the total for 2011 would be the highest in more than 10 years.

Sequim Water Reclamation Facility tabulates rainfall and temperatures for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To check Sequim’s monthly rainfall, visit www.ci.sequim.wa.us/maps.cfm under the “rainfall” link.