Weather change coming with rain later today

A golden sunrise this morning may be the last of the fair weather this morning as a Pacific cold front approaches the Inland Northwest. Satellite images show the frontal band to the west of Spokane early today. Forecasters said high-elevation clouds this morning, which created a colorful sunrise, will give way to a 70 percent chance of rain and showers after about 2 p.m. The front could also whip up south wind gusts to 25 mph across the region. Highs should reach the lower 50s today with a low tonight in the lower 30s. More showers are expected on Friday. A pool of cold air behind the frontal band should bring light mountain snow by Friday. Snow levels are expected to drop to 3,000 feet overnight with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation expected in Northeast Washington and North Idaho. That could marginally help a thin snow pack that is about half of the annual average for the region for late March. Fair weather should return on Saturday before another Pacific frontal system arrives on Sunday. Highs both days should reach the middle 50s. At 7 a.m., it was relatively mild with 41 at Spokane International Airport, 37 in downtown Spokane, 34 in Coeur d’Alene, 38 in Deer Park and 44 in Pullman.