July heat continues all week

Late July is statistically the warmest part of the year, and this July is not going to deviate from the pattern, forecasters said this morning. High temperatures are soaring back into the 90s today and should stay there through the weekend, forecasters said. Highs of 94 in downtown Spokane and 92 in Spokane Valley, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene are expected today, and then temperatures should increase another 2 to 3 degrees on Wednesday and stay in the middle and upper 90s through Sunday. Strong high pressure along the western U.S. is bringing the hot air, which is at least 10 degrees warmer than the normal high of 84 for this time of year. A weak low pressure area approaches from the west on Friday and Saturday, and could create the chance for clouds and thunderstorms across the mountains over the weekend. The high pressure should strengthen early next week and raise the chance of highs in the 100-degree range, forecasters said. The high at Spokane International Airport on Monday was 86. At 7 a.m. today, temperatures were in the upper 50s and lower 60s with 63 at the Spokane airport, 60 in Coeur d’Alene, 55 in Sandpoint, 61 in Pullman and 56 in Deer Park.