Dry breeze accompanies sunshine

Breezy sunshine continues today in the Inland Northwest as the recent string of warm days moves through its second full week. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s are forecast across the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, a slight cooling from the 80-degree-plus weather last weekend. Downtown Spokane could see 83 today, forecasters said. Northeast winds today are expected to blow at 10 to 20 mph. Gusts at the airport reached 24 mph this morning. The high at Spokane International Airport on Monday was 79, the 11th straight day of highs at 70 degrees or warmer. Spokane has not seen any measureable precipitation since May 14. A wind gust of 30 mph was recorded at the airport about 11 p.m., but winds were quieting this morning. A strong ridge of high pressure is locked over the Pacific Northwest, forcing the storm track into the Great Basin region to the south. That high is caught between a low pressure system off the California coast and drier Canadian air along the northern U.S. border. That dry Canadian air, which is associated with higher pressure, is being drawn toward the low off California. The dew point in Spokane this morning was in the lower 30s, an indication of the dry conditions. Sun and temperatures in the 80s are expected Wednesday and Thursday, with clouds arriving on Friday. The weekend is expected to bring a mix of clouds, sun and a small chance of showers. At 7 a.m., temperatures across the region were mild, with 57 at Spokane International Airport, 58 in Coeur d’Alene, 55 in Sandpoint, 57 in Cheney and 60 in Pullman.