More rain this week will worsen area flooding

A flood warning continues for many rivers in the Inland Northwest, including the Kettle River above Curlew, the Okanogan River near Tonasket, the Spokane River at Spokane and the St. Joe River at St Maries. Mountain snow melt from recent warm weather combined with rain Saturday is causing the rivers to continue running especially high, the National Weather Service office in Spokane said today. And more rain expected Wednesday night and into Thursday likely will lead to additional rising river levels toward the end of this week. Many rivers in the region will continue to run high through early June because so much snow remains in the mountains, the weather service said. Today’s forecast is for mostly sunny skies in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, with a high around 67. Tonight brings a 50 percent chance of showers after 11 p.m. Showers are likely Tuesday morning, and the day will be cooler, with a high near 63 in Spokane, 60 in Coeur d’Alene. The picture will brighten Wednesday, which is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 76 in the area. The rain will reappear Wednesday night and Thursday morning, and Thursday’s high will be in the low 50s.