Clouds burning off to reveal sun

Sunshine is making its return to the Inland Northwest for the next two days, but forecasters said that humidity left over from a two-day rain storm is causing clouds to form during the early part of the day today. Clouds should decrease through mid-day to reveal more sunshine this afternoon with sun expected again on Wednesday But forecasters are warning that the fair weather through Wednesday afternoon may give way to more wet weather later in the week. National Weather Service forecasters are calling for mostly sunny skies by afternoon today and highs in the middle 70s warming to near 80 on Wednesday with light winds. Lows are going to be mild in the lower to middle 50s. Patchy fog and low-elevation clouds were hanging around the area early today as a result of moisture that was brought to the region in a two-day rain storm Sunday and Monday. The storm brought 0.83 inches of rain to Spokane International Airport over the two days. Since May 17, the airport has measured 4.6 inches of rain, enough to fill typical lawn and garden watering needs during that time. A short-term ridge of higher air pressure is bringing the fair weather today and Wednesday, but a new Pacific low is going to bump into the western edge of the higher pressure on Wednesday and increase the chance of showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters are calling for a 20 percent chance of showers on Wednesday night to be followed by a 50 percent chance of showers on Thursday and Thursday night. The risk of wet weather wanes on Friday and the weekend should see improving weather with sun and highs in the lower to middle 70s. Yet another low could migrate inland on Monday or Tuesday. Forecasters said a new Pacific low pressure area is going to push into the region next week, but confidence in that forecast is low. At 7 a.m., it was 54 at Spokane International Airport, 55 at Felts Field, 52 in Coeur d’Alene and Deer Park and 55 in Pullman.