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Drought Watch; make that, Drought Wash

What a difference a rain makes; from dust to mud.

When the rains started last week, Philadelphia's precipitation total for the previous 30 days was under a third of normal. Through yesterday, it was 178 percent of normal, thanks to that 5-plus inch soaking. The hefty rain totals also evidently were widespread, the only exception being near the Shore. Using data from a variety of stations throughout the counties, as of yesterday, precipitation for the last 30 days was about double normal in Bucks County, and well over twice normal in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, according to the government's Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. The mainland Jersey figures weren't quite as hefty, but still well over. In Burlington, it was 164 percent of normal; 167, in Camden, and 189, in Gloucester. All that said, a drought watch remains in effect for all of New Jersey and for Chester and Delaware Counties, and a drought warning stays posted for Philly and Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Showers are in the forecast into Wednesday night, however, the rain amounts won't be of the deluge variety, maybe a half inch to an inch, total. So far today, the airport total is well under a quarter-inch.