Plan family picnics and outdoor weddings for July 12th in Salem. It's held its record for over 109 years as the only day it hasn't rained in Salem.
Since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1892 for Salem, July 12 has remained and driest day and July its driest month: True, a trace was observed July 1968, 1983, and 1988. But there never has been a measurable amount, which requires at least a hundredth of an inch. According to Nathan Foster, meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Salem's office, 1994 was the102nd year without rain.

"This is one day out of the entire year that it has never rained," Foster said. "It’s an odd day; it just never rains." This weather quirk was brought to light in 1967 by Russell Bieraugel, the night city editor of the Oregon Statesman. "We haven’t had more than a trace of rain on that date," Bieraugel said. "In 1967, there hadn’t even been a trace."After Bieraugel’s discovery, July 12 was proclaimed Rainmaker Day. The day was celebrated with parades, a rainmaker princess, and a variety of promotional contests and prizes.Although it is commonly accepted that you are more likely to rust that get sunburned in Oregon, sponsorship for the event waned after five years, and the celebration ended.

Salem's quirkiest weather record almost was no more in 2002. The City hadn't seen measurable rain on July 12th in 110 years - - or the entire length of recorded weather history. But a sneaky thunderstorm rolled north from Eugene late in the evening, and residents in several parts of the city said they had felt scattered droplets falling from the sky. Traces previously have been felt in 1868, 1983, and 1988, but to break the record, the rain bucket at McNary Field needs to record at least .01 inch. Meteorologists predicted a "zero chance" of rain for July 12th. Even so, the National Weather Service said it recorded zero rain for the day in Salem from midnight to midnight on July 12th. The record stands.

Will there ever be another Rainmaker Parade in Salem?

Bibliography: 
Reference Pamphlet #265, Salem Public Library, Salem - - - Climate,
Statesman Journal newspaper, October 3, 1994, by By Lisa Cosmillo Statesman Journal newspaper, July 13, 2002

Photo by David Goodson