Wet? You bet.
Summer arrived Sunday, but it was tough to distinguish a summertime puddle from one formed in the spring.
As of yesterday, New Hampshire has received a whopping 6.56 inches of rain this month. Last year, a total of 1.33 inches fell on the state for the whole month. The average June rainfall is 2.31 inches.
"Right now, we're working on the sixth wettest June that has ever been recorded," said James Brown of the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. Brown attributed the wet weather to stubborn low pressure systems hovering over New Hampshire.
But the near constant rain is more than just a nuisance — it can have a negative impact on New Hampshire residents' emotional well-being.
"Rain usually goes with clouds, and a lack of sunshine can cause problems with sleep patterns, which can lead to symptoms that are a lot like depression," said Dr. Rickey Silverman of Silverman Associates Inc.
The psychologist, who has practices in Derry and Hampstead, said people who experience extended periods of rain and clouds could notice an increase in irritability, anger problems, even mild depression.
"The longer it goes on, the more people you'll see getting dragged down by the rain," Silverman said.
Seasonal businesses have been experiencing a different kind of stress — financial stress.
Dianne Pica of Whispering Pines Campground in Newton said there has been noticeably less activity at the campground this month as compared with past years.
"Most campers come because they want to sit outside by their fire pit, but it's kind of hard to do that," Pica said. "The people who normally would come during the week are limiting their stay to just weekends, and they're not enjoying themselves as much as they could be."
Ticket sales at Canobie Lake Park in Salem have suffered from this month's wet weather. The park, which opened the last weekend in April in 90 degree weather, closed early at 4:30 p.m. yesterday.
"Being an outdoor facility, we're very weather dependent," spokesman Chris Nicoli said. "We've had to close early more than we'd like to."
The rain also has gotten in the way of annual town events and activities. The Pelham recreation program canceled tomorrow night's show, scheduled to kick off its summer concert series.
"It's kind of painful in that it was our first concert for the year," concert coordinator Charlene Takesian said. "The biggest pain is that we have to pay (the band) regardless if they play or not."
The rain keeps many people indoors, something Takesian isn't very happy about.
"My husband and I like to go for walks and we can't even go outside," she said. "We can't seem to get anything done."
Forecasts from the National Weather Service show another two to three days of rain, followed by some clearing Friday. Some sunshine and temperatures in the 70s should be here in time for the weekend, Brown said.
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