Cold morning says it’s still winter

A sunny sunrise today may have been pretty, but the temperatures are saying it is winter still. Spokane International Airport reported 24 degrees at 7 a.m., and other locations were even colder with Deer Park coming in at 19 and Coeur d’Alene at 21. Highs today should stay cool at around 40 degrees, which is below the normal of 46 for this time of year in Spokane. Forecasters said a weak frontal boundary has passed through the area and left sunny skies in its wake for most of today. Another cold night is expected with lows in the 20s by early Thursday morning. Then, a developing storm system will approach the Cascades and then stall along a north-south orientation through Friday, sending waves of moisture into different parts of the region. There is a 30 percent chance of rain in the Spokane area after 10 a.m. on Thursday with increasing chances of rain on Thursday night and Friday. Outside of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene some of the precipitation Thursday could fall as snow because of the cold air now in place, particularly in north-central Washington and along the east slopes of the Cascades. Rain or snow could fall Friday night and Saturday as a new cold front crosses the region. The snow level on Thursday is expected to rise to about 3,100 feet in elevation, which takes it above urban areas of the region and onto the lower slopes of surrounding mountains. Improving weather is seen by Saturday night and Sunday.