Fifty-two day drought coming to an end

COEUR d'ALENE - Something wicked this way comes.

Well, it's not really wicked, but it's something North Idahoans haven't seen in more than 50 days, and wouldn't mind going without for another 50.

"We've got rain coming," said climatologist Cliff Harris.

A few small showers were expected late Friday, and more this weekend and early next week.

That would end the glorious 52-day streak of no rain, of blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Must be like living in California.

But Harris said there are three fronts headed to North Idaho this weekend and early next week that will finally break the grip of a high-pressure ridge that has kept the region warm and dry.

It last rained here on Aug. 21, when .23 inches of rain fell during a thunderstorm. That was the only rain since July 20. That's one day of rain in 84 days, 12 weeks, two six-week patterns, and that's a record, Harris said. Before this year, there was never less than three rains in that same period.

The previous dryspell dates back to 1934, when a mere .47 inches fell in that same 12-week period.

If you go back to 1913, there was a 64-day stretch without rain, from June 28 to Sept. 1 in Coeur d'Alene.

Harris noted this current drought followed the wettest spring on record, that included a record 5.84 inches of rain in June.

He said as hunters head to the woods this weekend, they should take care because fire conditions are "very dangerous when the woods are this dry."

"They've never been drier than they are right now," Harris said.