Nina Landen works on her tan about the only way she can. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        School is out for most kids and the pools are open, but Tristate residents are reaching for umbrellas and galoshes instead of bathing suits and tanning lotion.

        The wet weather that has dumped 6.48 inches of rain on the area since May 1 has put a damper on some typical summer activities.

        Pools are like ghost towns. Some tanning salons have been left out in the cold.

        “You have to have good weather to get the customers,” says Jeff Duvall, an employee at Aloha Tanning in Oakley. “People have to get in the summer spirit, and we haven't had enough summer yet. People aren't really thinking about tans right now.”

        Despite seemingly constant rain the past few days — along with saturated ground — Cincinnati's total rainfall remains about 5 inches below average for the year. The area continues to hover near drought status, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

FORECAST

Cincinnati.com/weather

        An extremely dry winter is to blame. In the past five weeks, Cincinnati received nearly a half-inch more rain than fell during the first four months of the year.

        The rise in rainfall isn't unusual, says Scott Hickman, a Weather Service meteorologist. Despite the notion of April showers and May flowers, May is the rainiest month.

        The recent soaking is also responsible for the cool, fall-like temperatures, forcing people to grab not only umbrellas — but jackets — in June. Monday's high of 65 was 15 degrees below the normal high.

        That makes for some chilly water at the outdoor pool at Anderson Hills Swim & Tennis Club, says Randy Wood, a manager. The water, normally mid- to upper 70s this time of year, was 66 degrees Monday.

        The people who are getting in are “crazy,” he says. “They get a free psychological exam when they get out.”

       Richelle Thompson of the Enquirer contributed.
       

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