Now people are asking ME to make the rain go away. Hey, I just write this stuff. If it were up to me, it would be snow! It's been way too long since our last real winter wonderland - I'd say almost three years, since the 13.1 inches that fell on Feb. 11-12, 2006. The story I wrote in December 2007 - "Why snow shoveling is bad for you" - is still holding, waiting for a shovel-worthy storm.

Anyway, today should see the last of the rain for a while as this low-pressure system linked to an approaching cold front moves out. For now, the barometer is still dropping - an impressive 29.28 inches and falling now at Guilford and Centre (left; thanks to the Crime Blog for the loan of Peter Hermann's window on the world).

Forecasters out at Sterling say we should be done with the rain by midnight, with partly sunny skies due on Thursday and seasonable highs near 41 degrees and gusty winds. Friday looks even sunnier, but a little colder and windy again as cold, dry air piles in behind the cold front.

A clipper system on Saturday could bring some showers, but another blast of cold, arctic air behind that will clear things out for Sunday and Monday, with highs only in the upper 30s.

The next chance for precip comes mid-week next week, but with temperatures trending warmer, it's likely to be more rain. So far this winter BWI has reported traces of snow on 13 dates from November through yesterday, but just one day with measureable amounts - 0.6 inch on Dec. 6. Pitiful.

But we've clocked plenty of rain from this two-day drip. We've recorded 1.15 inches on the gauge here at The Sun since the rain began yesterday. BWI has reported 1.45 inches. Here are some more precipitation totals from across the region.

Herold Harbor, (AA Co.):  1.68 inches

Bowie (PG): 1.58 inches

Severna Park (AA):  1.55 inches

Dunkirk (Calvert):  1.42 inches

Ellicott City (Howard):  1.3 inches

Towson (Baltimore Co.): 1.06 inches

Taneytown (Carroll):  1.05 inches

Kingsville (Harford):  1.03 inches