December has brought rain

It wasn't enough to end the drought, but the region received more rainfall in 2009 than it had during the three previous years.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as Swiftmud, released the latest figures Wednesday.

The northern region - which includes Hernando, Citrus, Lake, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties - already has recorded above-normal rainfall for December. As of Tuesday, the region had received 3.19 inches for the month, up from the historical average of 2.66, according to Swiftmud.

For the year, the northern region has surpassed totals from 2008, 2007 and 2006.

The latest rainfall figures were 50.26 inches for the year, with a week left to go. The previous three years had 49.30, 45.43, and 38.73 inches of rain, respectively.

In 2005, the northern region of the district received 58.85 inches. That was largely attributed to the active hurricane season.

"We've had a more wet fall and winter than usual," said Jennifer Colson, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Ruskin. "There's still a deficit ... The summer was actually drier than normal."

The current wet conditions are related to warmer-than-average surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, known as El Nino.

When such a formation occurs, the Southeast is met with cooler and wetter conditions, according to meteorologists.

"We often see more systems moving over to us more rapidly," Colson said.

Neutral conditions are expected in the spring after the warm surface temperatures in the Pacific dissipate, she said.

As for the last week of the year, more rainfall is expected.

There is a 40-percent thunderstorm probability for Brooksville this afternoon, according to AccuWeather.com.

Periodic rain also is expected for New Year's Eve.