Cold front bearing down on region this evening

A cold front bearing down on the Inland Northwest is going to change this stretch of warm summer weather to a more spring-like pattern with wind and highs in the lower 70s on Friday. Forecasters have upgraded their expectations for wind speed. Gusts of 30 mph tonight and 31 on Friday are likely in Spokane. Gusts to 40 mph are possible in some locations of the broader region. The front was far enough away this morning to allow for another day in the upper 80s in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, but clouds will start appearing through the day. Spokane should see a high of 88 downtown and Coeur d’Alene may be a degree higher than that. The cold front arrives later this evening, bringing much cooler air as it moves south and east from a low pivoting in southern British Columbia. National Weather Service forecasters said it may interact with moist and warm air coming northward from the Great Basin, triggering strong thunderstorms over extreme southeastern Washington and the central Idaho Panhandle. A red flag warning for fire danger was posted for south central Washington and portions of southeast Washington, including Tri-Cities and Walla Walla where winds and heat could create dangerous conditions if a fire starts. Highs on Friday will be near 70 with Saturday going to about 75 and Sunday through Tuesday getting into the lower 80s. At 3 p.m., it was 87 at Spokane International Airport.