Rain to fall through tonight

Light rain should reach the Spokane area at midday and move eastward as a Pacific frontal system brings the next in a series of rainstorms to the Inland Northwest. The storm may contain heavier amounts of rain later in the day as the main frontal band crosses the region some time after 4 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The incoming storm and movement of air masses has all but eliminated the problem of low-lying fog, but the fog could return Thursday morning and again Thursday night. Snow levels will rise to the tops of the mountains. The storm system is drawing milder air from the south to southwest. Drizzle was being reported at 8 a.m. in Sandpoint, and radar images showed precipitation over the mountains of North Idaho and Northeast Washington. Highs today are expected to remain in the lower 50s because of the increasing layer of clouds and rain. Light south winds are in the forecast. Lows for tonight through Saturday night should be in the 30s. Continuing rain storms are foreseen on Friday and Sunday with a drying trend possible next week. At 7 a.m., it was 42 at Spokane International Airport, 44 in downtown, 41 in Coeur d’Alene, 43 in Deer Park, 37 in Sandpoint and 46 in Pullman.