Drier weather likely for weekend

The last shot of wet and windy weather is expected today over the Inland Northwest as drier and calmer weather moves in for the holiday weekend. Southwest wind gusts to 33 mph are expected today as a weather front crosses the region. Rain and snow are possible through today in the Spokane area while higher elevations are likely to see snow. An avalanche warning was posted for Idaho Panhandle mountains extending into northwestern Montana. In Spokane, today’s high could reach a mild 48. Weekend weather should see cooler temperatures and calm conditions with highs in the lower 30s on Saturday and Sunday with lows in the lower 20s. Sunshine should show through clouds on both days. Temperatures are expected to go to the upper 30s on Monday, although mostly cloudy skies are likely. Spokane had 0.21 inches of rain on Thursday. The monthly precipitation total stands at 0.80 inches compared with a normal of 2.17 inches through Dec. 29. At 7 a.m., it was 41 at Spokane International Airport, 45 at Felts Field and 43 in Coeur d’Alene. Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 in the Cascades was 33 degrees with mostly bare and wet pavement. Lookout Pass in Idaho had slush in places. Blewett Pass on U.S. Highway 97 between Ellensburg and Wenatchee was closed this morning because of multiple accidents on icy pavement.