We won't be seeing any September snow, like we did last year.

But snow's less problematic cousin, rain (remember rain?) is finally on its way.

"I see rain coming,” Press climatologist Cliff Harris said Thursday. "This has been the driest period that we’ve ever had here, dating back to 1895. So we need rain badly."

Since July 8, North Idaho has received only 0.12 of an inch of precipitation for the whole period.

"And not a drop of rain in September, making this the driest first 17 days of September, ever," Harris said.

This season has been drier even than when the Great Fire of 1910 engulfed North Idaho and destroyed 3 million acres. In that season, the region received a scant 0.16 of an inch of rain — but still more than this year.

"We’ve been very fortunate we haven't had even worse fires or worse smoke," Harris said.

Speaking of smoke, winds later this evening and into Saturday will shift to the southwest at about 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, Harris foresees.

"That will do a lot about scouring out the smoke," he said.

A 70% chance of rain with cooler temps in the upper 60s on Saturday and lingering showers Sunday will provide a much-needed break from the hot haze. Harris said it will be dry Sunday through Wednesday next week, with a chance for another round of showers.

"I’m telling people, we have the first day of fall coming on the 22nd and that’s next Tuesday," he said. "This summer is going to go into the record books — even with the moisture at the end — as one of the driest."