Rainy March breaks record

COEUR d'ALENE - It took 96 years, but we did it.

Wednesday's .28 inches of rain raised Coeur d'Alene's March total to 5.61.

That easily broke the rain record for March of 5.37 inches set in 1916. And before the month is over, there could be another inch and a half of rain or more as a series of cold fronts move in.

Seven inches for March is within reach.

"Every drop of rain that falls will just add to the record here," said climatologist Cliff Harris. "It's going be wet, what can I say."

It's going to be cold, too.

Highs will drop into the 40s by Sunday, and there could be some overnight snow.

But by Easter Sunday, the skies should begin to clear.

"After that, it looks like a little bit drier and warmer weather," Harris said.

This month's rainfall pushed the total of 5.02 of March 2011 to third place on the all-time record for Coeur d'Alene.