Rainstorm eases across Spokane

Rain across the Spokane area has subsided after giving the area a good dousing for about three hours this morning. A narrow band of rain stalled along the Interstate 90 corridor between Ritzville and Spokane Valley earlier this morning, bringing heavy showers to some locations. By 8 a.m., the rain had spread northward to Diamond Lake in southern Pend Oreille County and was affecting parts of the Palouse region south of Cheney. Pockets within the rain band were seeing rainfall rates up to a half-inch per hour. Spokane International Airport had .14 inches of rain and Felts Field had .27 inches. The National Weather Service said the rain was heavy enough to become a hazard for motorists, and they cautioned drivers to slow down and be careful. The showers were first reported shortly after 6 a.m., and the weather service said they would diminish after 10 a.m. A weak frontal system was interacting with moisture that had moved northward into the region on Wednesday, triggering the showers. Forecasters said the chance of showers through this morning and then clearing this afternoon with a high near 64 in Spokane. Moderate winds with gusts as high as 28 mph could arrive this afternoon as a weak upper level disturbance moves along the Canadian border today. That should result in clearing skies later today. Cooler weather is expected tonight with lows near 34. Friday’s weather should be mostly sunny with highs near 60. The weekend looks relatively cool with highs in the middle 50s and a chance of showers on Saturday and partly sunny skies on Sunday in Spokane. Coeur d’ Alene will see a chance of showers both days during the weekend. At 7 a.m., it was 42 at Spokane International Airport, 45 in downtown Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, 44 in Deer Park and 41 in Pullman.