Sunday's rain doesn't end drought

Sunday's rain in Coeur d'Alene seemed like a lot. 

It wasn't.

Climatologist Cliff Harris said only .08 inches fell in what was the first rainfall of September.

"It was a short rain and then it sprinkled," he said. "Hopefully, we'll get more."

For the entire summer, it has rained only .35 inches, well under the previous summer record-low rainfall of 1.11 inches in 1929 in Coeur d'Alene. The last day of summer is a week away.

"We're still in the worst summer drought ever," Harris said.

Meanwhile, Harris said "the big heat" that delivered temperatures in the 90s is over. He said it should be in the 80s later this week before a storm in the Gulf of Alaska arrives next week that will bring cooler conditions and maybe rain.

"By the time it reaches us, we'll just get what's left over," he said.