After an extended, gloomy spring, the Fraser Valley may be experiencing the driest August and September since 1945, with just 10.4 millimetres of rain recorded in the two months so far.

"We could be setting some records by the month's end," said David Jones, a senior meteorologist with Environment Canada.

There was just 3.8 mm of precipitation recorded at the Abbotsford airport for the month of August, with another 6.6 mm recorded on Sept. 9 and 10.

"That's a grand total of 10.4 mm," said Jones on Wednesday, and so far that's the lowest recorded rainfall since 1945, the earliest rain records for Abbotsford.

The last driest year for the two-month period had 16 mm of rain in 1974. Other dry late summers were in 1988 with 25 mm, 1989 with 39 mm and 1993, with 41 mm.

Although weather models earlier this week suggested there was some rain relief in sight for Friday and again on Monday, the forecast is changing.

"The models show there is a weather system headed this way but it's weakening as it approaches. It's going to stay dry for some time, and it's quite possible we won't see any precipitation toward the end of the month, into October," said Jones.

Throughout August and September most of the province and the Fraser Valley saw hot, dry conditions.

The north coast is expected to get a soaking, but even it if rains in the Fraser Valley in the next few days, it won't be much, said Jones.

"The southern half of the province will be dry for a bit here. We need a good soaking."

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com