Rain keeps steady beat | The Olympian

November's relentless rain won't take a holiday over Thanksgiving weekend - rain is predicted through at least Tuesday.

As of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, an additional 0.39 inches of rain fell at Olympia Regional Airport, adding to the month's record-breaking rainfall. So far this month, 16.42 inches of rain have fallen at the airport, more than Olympia's old record for November rain, 15.51 inches in 1962, National Weather Service forecaster Mike McFarland said.

McFarland said it will be wet in Olympia on Wednesday and "it could be a little wetter" on Thanksgiving. Also, cooler weather will bring snow to the lower elevations, between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, he said.

Holiday travelers should note that Washington State Patrol is stepping up emphasis patrols through the weekend, targeting drunken driving, aggressive driving, speed and seatbelt usage.

State Patrol warned revelers to get a cab or designated driver instead of hitting the roads after they've had one too many drinks during a holiday celebration. Citizens who witness impaired or dangerous driving should always call 9-1-1.

From January 2004 to December 2005 more than 10,000 people were injured or killed on Washington State highways as a result of an impaired driving or speed-related collision, according to the State Patrol. More than 20 percent of those collisions were during November and December.