North Idaho temps at 101 and climbing

COEUR d'ALENE — It was a record-hot Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene, and it's expected to be even hotter today. Relief is nowhere in sight.

"This is one long heatwave," said climatologist Cliff Harris. "Tomorrow's (Wednesday) the peak of it."

He said it rose to 101 degrees Tuesday, topping the record of 100 degrees set in 2015. It was the first 100-degree day in Coeur d'Alene since Aug. 15 of last year when it hit 104 degrees. It could reach 103 today.

It hasn't rained in July in Coeur d'Alene, and you might not even see a daytime cloud until Sunday. The last significant rain of about a quarter inch was nearly a month ago.

Harris said there haven't been any major wildfires in North Idaho, but worries that the dry, hot conditions have created the potential for one. 

"We need to be very careful," Harris said. "I can't stress too strongly about the fire danger."

According to the Coeur d'Alene Interagency Dispatch Center, fire danger around North Idaho was low or moderate.

The forecast is calling for highs in the 90s every day into late next week, when high temperatures should return to the 80s.

Harris predicted 25 days of 90 degrees or above for this summer.

"We’re well on our way," he said.