Snow threat ends for now

A drier air mass is moving into the Inland Northwest today, ending the threat of snow for the coming week. A low pressure area that brought light precipitation to Eastern Washington and moderate snow to the mountains of Idaho is moving to the southeast. In its wake, higher air pressure will stream into the region from the north and northwest, but not the brutally cold type of high that is possible with an arctic front. North winds could gust to 18 mph in Spokane later today. Stronger winds are likely in the Okanogan Valley which will funnel the dry air. National Weather Service forecasters said the weather change will bring a chance of sunny skies later today and again at the end of the week, and near-normal temperatures. Today’s high is expected to reach the low 40s in advance of the cooler air. Highs will drop back into the 30s with lows in the 20s. The higher air pressure will also bring a heightened chance of air stagnation and a build up of pollution by the weekend, forecasters said. The outlook calls for continued dry and seasonably cold temperatures through Tuesday. At 7 a.m., it was 30 degrees at Spokane International Airport with fog. Deer Park also had fog and 28 degrees. Coeur d’Alene reported 32 degrees.