Will you be riding in an area noted for wet weather, or is this just a precaution?
If you will be in a wet zone, you need to do a few things or you will be miserable.
First, you need a screen, period, even if dry, your body/head will take a pounding.
You need a "mud flap" on the front wheel. It throws a bunch of water into you legs and feet.
You need a highly rated rain traction tire(s).
You need good rain gear, not cheap plastic. You need one that breathes or you will be as wet from the sweating.
Good gloves too, I use ones similar to material the skin divers wear.
And water replant to put on your face mask/helmet.
If you are not use to riding in the rain, then don't ride at night, vision is greatly hampered, you need to look through the rain, not at it, takes practice.
A mat you can fashion to your seat. You are looking for drainage under your butt, one you can remove. Has to be firm enough to not mat down, but not too firm it pokes your dookie. 
SLOW down and whatever you do, don't over react, keep your grips light, or you will have to pry your hands off when you stop  

As you know bub, I get all the rain you left behind  
This year we set a record for amount too, so now I can speak with higher authority than you!!!!!
I use First Gear, love it, my winter thermal one piece suit is three years old and still dry as the desert Bot rides in.....only bummer is it has to be cold to wear, wish they had a lighter spring suit. I wear the two piece "splash line" spring/summer. Very well made, light, comfortable, dry.

If I was to recommend long rides only, I would say go with a one piece unit. I often wear just the jacket as a wind breaker tho, so I got the two piece'r

PS: gonna get into the 70's this week, everything is a bloom, including my allergies    But I'll take it. The sun breaking over the Cascades on my way too work often pull me greatly to just keep heading east, just beautiful, but you already know that....

Be careful overtaking trucks, because of the amount of spray they throw up. Be aware of trucks coming in the other direction for the same reason. Your visibility drops a lot in this situation and get high visibility gear, whether it's "cool" or not.

Retired,
If you ride far enough, the rain will find you. +1 on a windscreen and find some rain gear in hi-viz yellow that you can get into on the side of the road without anyplace to sit. Getting the pants over my size 13 boot shod feet is my biggest issue.

Just like a car, slow down, smooth on the throttle and brake and leave extra room. The traction is really not that bad. Actually enjoy riding in the rain. It can be very relaxing in light traffic.

Good hunting and keep us posted.

Another GREAT brand to look at is Olympia.  The jacket I bought came with 2 liners - insulated cold and wet weather.  This thing is great for all weather, even for the Texas summers.  Not to mention a lot of their gear is hi vis, too.

I think this is the newer version of the jacket I bought.  It only has the rain liner, now.  This is actually a similar style of jacket to the older one I bought.  http://olympiamotosports.com/catalog/mens-switchback-mesh-tech-jacket/

THIS is the newer version of the jacket I bought.  The new style has a lot more hi-vis material.  http://olympiamotosports.com/catalog/mens-airglide-4-mesh-tech-jacket/

& RE Member, Drivers dont SEE what they arent looking for,,& inclement weather isnt when they expect to see a bike.. weave in your lane, flash Hi & lo approaching drivers setting up for a left turn, stay away from the curb & positioned out near the center line, except for when youre weaving. Light Bright colors, stay visible.

Hello Retired, this is Maurizio from Rome, Italy.

Have I ever ridden in the rain ? YUP !

Did I survive ? NOPE !

Did I just plod on ? YUP !

You won't believe the feeling of accomplishment as you actually ride OUT of the rain into dry weather... and if you're riding towards the SUN... oooh, boy !  

Here's my personal experience :

1. Windshield: get one that reaches up to your collarbone/chin; you want to look over it, not through it; water will run away from the helmet visor but NOT off the windshield; you can see quite well through a wet visor, but NOT through a dirty windshield.

2. Helmet: get one with a pulldown sunscreen (polarized lens for riding into the sun) they sometimes help whemn riding in the rain; else, polarized lenses/glasses, tinted as light as possible, will help you see through mist and through those ugly reflections on wet tarmac; make sure the ventilation air scoops are on the side, not on top, else if you leave them open rain will seep in and drip dosn your nose... trust me, I know...    

3. Gloves: get warm waterproof gloves, it gets very cold in the rain... else, ride with thin tight leather gloves and carry a number of pairs of rubber dishwashing gloves, orange or yellow are best, and wear them over your gloves  

4. Hand guards! They protect you from unwanted spray, but also from unwanted insects & bugs... ever ridden into a beetle ? Them things are hard as rocks!

5. Boots: either you find waterproof leather boots, or just wear the boots of your choice, and have one (or two) pairs of oversize TOTES with you...

6. Rainproof pants: these come in two versions: wear'em over your jeans, more often than not with an elastic waist; they're OK on short runs.
OR
"Salopettes"/overalls, with the rear part covering your lower back actually taller than the front; that's to ensure your lower back doesn't get wet, and are a zillion times better than the typical design with a pocket on your belly. They protect you from backaches and bad backs in the long run, you see rain in the morning, wear these instead of jeans, you're happy all day.

7. Rain proof jacket: again, either you have a leather jacket plus a "throwover", or a serious rainproof riding jacket. Depends on the climate.

8. Seat cover: rain WILL puddle in any seat, imagine in the Savage seat ! Cut a piece of rubber doormat off this:

and attach it to the seat or frame with a few hooks... try it !

9. RAIN TIRES ! Modern superslicks are great as long as it's dry, but if you do most of your riding in rainy areas, Michelin Pilot Road 2, 3, 4 or Dunlop's excellent 616


DUNLOP D616 front & rear, these are directional tires. DUNLOP D607 DUNLOP Sportmax Mutant


Also check out MICHELIN PILOT ROAD 2, PILOT ROAD 3, PILOT ROAD 4


CONTINENTAL RACE ATTACK RAIN


Hope this helps...

... and don't forget hot coffee !!!