If today's weather forecast is accurate, it will be the fourth rainy day in a row for northwest Alabama and will have contributed greatly in pulling the area out of a record drought.

Between Sunday and Wednesday, most Shoals communities received about 3 inches of rain, said Andy Kula, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Huntsville. Some unofficial rain gauges around the area collected more than 4 inches during the three-day period.

Meanwhile, the local cotton harvest has come to a standstill because of the wet weather and many construction projects and outdoor activities have been put on hold until sunny skies return.

Few people, however, are complaining.

Many, including Steve McEachron, the Lauderdale County manager for the Alabama Forestry Commission, welcome the rain.

"We love it. It's been a blessing," McEachron said. "We got more than I was expecting, but we're thankful for every drop."

Before the rain came, wildfires had burned throughout northwest Alabama, including a pair of blazes in southwest Colbert County that blackened 350 acres.

McEachron said the rain provided temporary relief from the rash of woods and grass fires. He said if you need to burn anything outdoors, you should do so today or Friday.

"It's a good time now to burn brush piles while the ground is damp. If it doesn't rain for a couple of days and the wind blows, things will start to dry out and the wildfire danger will start to increase again," McEachron said.

The rain could help salvage the fall foliage season in the Tennessee Valley.

"It's probably too late to save some of the leaves, but this should help us see a little more color than we would have had without the rain," McEachron said.

Kula said this week's rain put a dent in the drought, but did not erase the rainfall deficit. Rainfall in the Shoals for this year remains more than a foot below normal.

Some communities east of the Shoals received little rain, Kula said. Moulton received less than 1/2 inch between Sunday and Wednesday.

There is a 50 percent chance of showers today, a 30 percent chance tonight and 20 percent chance for Friday. Sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected this weekend, with high temperatures in the 60s forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

"The weekend looks really nice," Kula said.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.