Showers likely later today

Cold air aloft in the wake of an early-morning cold front could trigger new rounds of rain showers later today. The National Weather Service is giving the Spokane area a 70 percent chance of showers as the sun warms air near the ground and sends it billowing skyward into to a very cold atmosphere. A high of only 49 is expected along with breezy winds and gusts to 23 mph. Partly sunny skies are likely around the showers. Coeur d’Alene may be even cooler at 46 degrees and some of the showers could contain snow or small hail. The chance of showers should continue through Saturday as the cold upper-level low stays over the region and weak frontal systems glide southeastward out of eastern British Columbia. Highs in Spokane should bounce back to the 50s with lows at night in the lower and middle 30s. Coeur d’Alene will be several degrees cooler during daytime hours. The average high for Spokane today is 61. A high pressure system in the eastern Pacific should move over the region in time for Bloomsday on Sunday when a high of 61 is expected under mostly sunny skies. The day will start seasonably cool with 41 degrees expected at 8 a.m. rising to 44 degrees by race time. The noon time temperature should be 55. At 7 a.m. today, it was 36 at Spokane International Airport, 39 at Felts Field, 37 in Coeur d’Alene, 36 in Deer Park and 35 in Pullman.