The Misuse of "normal"

During the weather for Southern California, a comment was made regarding the fact that we ended up only an inch short of the normal rainfall for our area.  That made me think what that actually means and conclude that when it comes to weather there is actually no "normal".  There are dry seasons, wet seasons, hot seasons, cold seasons, etc.  Just look at this chart of rainfall totals from Los Angeles Almanac  for the years 1887-2007. 

The term that they should use is average instead of "normal".  Can you see any "normal" in this chart? ?   They are always trying to scare you, so don't be scared.  There is also the fact that the LA area can get differing rainfall in the mountains and the valleys.  So where you measure it would matter also.

If you look at this chart of rainfall over or under normal, we have received more rain over the average than less.

Don't Let them scare you, all they do is lie because it's all about the money.