After a record-setting rainy spring and a May that finished out the month with 7.32 inches of precipitation for the Ann Arbor area, June promised a reprieve — and a much-needed chance to dry out for residents along flooded Horseshoe Lake, some of whom switched from cars to paddle boats to get around the neighborhood last week.

The first two days of the month saw highs in the 70s and 80s and clear skies, and the rest of the week's forecast calls for more of the same, punctuated by a few scattered thunderstorms.

Will the drier conditions last?

That depends, said Dennis Kahlbaum, University of Michigan weather observer.

Precipitation for the Ann Arbor area has ranged anywhere from a quarter inch to 8.5 inches since record-keeping began in 1880.

"June still being a convective month, precipitation can vary by time and location," Kahlbaum said this week, making it hard to predict what may be in store for a region that has slogged through two rainy months already.

An average June, at least, brings 3.46 inches of rain and highs near 79 degrees.

But temperatures can be fickle, too. In 1913, the area set a record low of 35 degrees. In 1934, the high topped out at 103.

Perhaps average never sounded so good?

Stay up to date with the forecast and severe weather alerts at AnnArbor.com's Weather page.