Posted March 4, 2010, 8:07 PM.

The Climate Prediction Center has forecast a 50% chance of a wetter than normal month for March.

Interestingly, shorter term forecasts show average precipitation for this week, and drier than normal conditions for next week. If all the predictions hold true, the second half of the month could be very wet.

In recent years, March has not been wet. With a decade of data, Temecula's average March is just 1.14". Among other WeatherCurrents stations, Fallbrook is averaging just 0.97" for the month, Murrieta only 0.77", Lake Elsinore 0.71", Menifee 0.56" and 1.27" in Hemet. At those rates, one storm like last weekend's would lead to a wetter than normal month.

On average, February is the wettest month of the year in Southern California.

The prediction for a wetter than average March follows an average February and above average January and December. Season totals to date are running 10-90% above normal, with 20-30% above normal being typical in most inland communities.