Cool, clear today; warming trend on way

Fair weather is settling over the Inland Northwest today at the start of what is shaping up to be a warm and dry holiday period. Mountain areas continue to see a threat of showers today, but the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas are expected to remain dry, although on the cool side. A freeze warning was issued by the National Weather Service for tonight for wind-protected valley areas to the north of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene where a combination of dry air and cool temperatures could allow lows to drop to 32 degrees or lower. This afternoon, clouds containing some showers were moving mostly to the north and west of Spokane area and across North Idaho. Highs should reach the low 60s in both cities today. Breezes and wind gusts to 20 mph are possible in Spokane. Another chilly night is forecast with lows in Spokane in the upper 30s and the low 40s in Coeur d’Alene. A weak ridge of high pressure will push the Pacific storm track to the north bringing warmer weather starting on Thursday with highs near 70 degrees. One possible cloud wave moving across the northern edge of the high could bring clouds Thursday night and Friday along with some breeze. But the higher air pressure should also encourage a settling of air and warming with highs reaching the middle 70s on Friday and then going into the upper 70s Saturday and Sunday and approaching 80 degrees by Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures at 7 a.m. today were in the low to middle 40s across the region with 40 at Spokane International Airport, 42 at Felts Field, 44 in Coeur d’Alene, 41 in Sandpoint and 43 in Pullman.