A historic stretch of arid weather in North Idaho has concluded with significant rainfall in Coeur d’Alene, marking a sharp turnaround for the region’s climate conditions. According to data reported by cdapress.com, Monday’s downpour delivered 1.12 inches of precipitation, effectively ending what climatologists had identified as the driest summer on record for the area.
Historic Summer Dryness Broken
The contrast between this summer and the current weather pattern is stark. Throughout June, July, and August, Coeur d’Alene recorded a mere 0.26 inches of total rainfall. This figure shattered the previous record-low of 0.55 inches established in 1929 for that three-month period. The extreme dryness contributed to heightened fire danger across Kootenai County and resulted in unusually brown landscapes throughout the Panhandle.
Climatologist Cliff Harris noted the severity of the summer conditions, pointing out that no thunderstorms occurred during the season—a phenomenon he described as very unusual for the region. The lack of precipitation persisted despite triple-digit temperatures recorded in early September of the previous year, highlighting a persistent trend toward drier conditions before this recent shift.
September Rainfall Sets New Records
The arrival of wet weather has been rapid. Coeur d’Alene has received 1.48 inches of rain so far in September. Monday’s specific rainfall amount broke a date-specific record, surpassing the 0.5-inch mark set on the same day in 1978. Harris stated that the transition was immediate and visible.
“We went from dry, brown grass to puddles everywhere,” Harris told the Coeur d’Alene Press, as first reported by cdapress.com.
The year-to-date rainfall total for Coeur d’Alene now stands at 10.82 inches, a significant increase compared to the 8.35 inches recorded at this time last year. This surge in precipitation has drastically reduced fire danger levels that had plagued the area during the summer months.
El Niño Influence Expected
Looking ahead, meteorological patterns suggest the wet conditions may continue. Harris indicated that El Niño effects are influencing weather systems in North Idaho, leading to expectations of additional rainfall later this week. The shift from extreme drought to above-average precipitation marks a pivotal change for local water resources and outdoor conditions in Kootenai County.
“I am officially announcing the drought is over,” Harris told the Coeur d’Alene Press.