It is more than evident to Minot and area residents that there has been very little break from rainfall for the past several days. While increased chances of rain have gone away, at least for this weekend and perhaps well into next week, the recent downpours have resulted in some substantial readings.

Among the most notable, especially at the time, was the record-breaking deluge of 1.46 inches the region received on Labor Day, September 2. The previous record for the date was .52 inches set 44 years ago in 1975.

There was also a whopping 1.79 inches of rain recorded during the 24 hour period ending at 6 a.m. Friday. Although far from a record, a very old record of 4.23 inches on the same date in 1903, it moved Minot’s rainfall total for September well up the record book and there is more than two weeks remaining in the month.

As of Friday morning the rain gauge for Sept. at the North Central Research and Extension Center totaled 15.72 inches, 1.06 inches above the long-term average of 14.66 inches of precipitation at that location south of the city. At Minot’s International Airport the rain reading through the same time period reached 15.84 inches, 1.79 inches more than the 114 norm for the date.

September began with growing concerns about too little moisture in the region. Extension Center records showed that yearly precipitation was 2.62 inches less than normal at that location on Sept. 1.