Summer feel to return this weekend

National Weather Service forecasters today said they expect one of the nicest weather weekends of the year with highs going from the middle 70s Saturday to lower 80s on Sunday and Monday. The improving weather could continue after that, although there is also a chance of a storm system by Tuesday. “It looks right now like Sunday will be the warmest (day),” said forecaster Steve Bodnar. The past three weeks from May 17 through Monday were the fifth wettest and sixth coolest in 130 years of record keeping, the National Weather Service reported this morning. Spokane was 4.1 degrees below average in temperature and received 2.07 inches of rain during the period. Elsewhere, Omak was the coolest it has ever been in 80 years of record keeping at 5.9 degrees below normal and second-wettest with 2.95 inches of rain. For today, forecasters were calling for highs near 74 in Spokane and 75 in Coeur d’Alene with mostly sunny skies. The average temperatures for today in Spokane are 71 for a high and 48 for a low. A new storm system arrives tonight increasing the chance of rain and then showers for the rest of the work week. On Wednesday, there is a 90 percent chance of rain showers in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Highs Wednesday may reach the middle 60s and then drop several more degrees to around 60 on Thursday before beginning a rebound. Improving weather will come in time for free fishing days. The states of Washington and Idaho are waiving license requirements in an annual event this weekend. Idaho will allow residents and non-residents to fish without licenses on Saturday only. In Washington, free fishing is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. Anglers should check regulations and must follow catch limits and other rules. The Snake River this morning south of Lewiston was near its crest and expected to start falling. It was measured at 20.6 feet at Anatone and expected to drop below flood stage of 20 feet later this afternoon. A flood warning remained in effect for the area with water expected over the Snake River Road between Asotin and Rogersburg at the mouth of the Grande Ronde River. The Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry was expected to begin rising today, but remain below flood stage as upstream dam operators were planning to release more water, the weather service said. The river should rise to 1,757 feet above sea level by Wednesday, but remain below a flood stage of 1,764 feet. The weather service said there is still some chance of higher flows if Libby Dam operations are changed from current plans.