It’s official: Today is hottest day of year

The National Weather Service said a 94 degree reading late this afternoon at Spokane International Airport makes today the hottest of the year. Saturday’s high was 93, the hottest day of the year until today. August so far is running 1.1 degrees above normal with six days in the 90s. It is the first month since January to be have above-normal temperatures. Clouds and thunderstorms have formed today to the south of the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas. Forecasters hoisted a red flag warning for increased fire danger over parts of the Columbia Basin, south central Washington, southeast Washington and central Idaho Panhandle. Some of the storms were reported over the Palouse. Hot weather starts to ease on Monday with a high of 89. A cold front with breezy winds is likely Monday night. Temperatures will drop to the lower 80s on Tuesday and then to the 70s on Wednesday into Labor Day weekend. Chances of showers also appear in the forecasts at midweek.