Forecast predicts fine Fourth

High air pressure and summer temperatures are going to move over the Pacific Northwest in time for July Fourth weekend activities.

The holiday period begins on Friday with sunny skies but mild temperatures left over from a storm system expected today, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs should only make the lower 70s on Friday.

The warm-up really gets going on Saturday with sun and highs near 80 to be followed by more sun and temperatures in the mid-80s Sunday and Monday.

This week’s cooler and potentially wet weather moves over the region today prior to the weekend warm-up. Thunderstorms are possible over the Idaho Panhandle and eastern third of Washington.

Then, higher air pressure builds over the western United States, pushing the Pacific storm track into Canada, where it should be this time of year.

“We are going to stay with a warming and drying trend that should last into next week,” said Bob Tobin, forecaster for the National Weather Service in Spokane.

“It looks like this could be a change to our summerlike pattern,” he said.

He said the high is building from the four corners region of the Southwest, a pattern that brings the Inland Northwest its warmest and most reliable summer weather.

That warm air should help get garden plants like tomatoes, squash and peppers to perk up.

Highs today should reach the middle 70s in a distinct retreat from Tuesday’s warm temperatures.

Spokane has a 30 percent chance of showers today. Coeur d’Alene will have a 40 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms today and tonight and Sandpoint a 50 percent chance.

Tobin said that locales that receive showers may get drenched because today’s incoming storm system will be laden with moisture from the south, and some of that moisture will be carried in the form of towering shower or thunderstorm clouds.