Thunderstorms possible tonight; warm days ahead

Strong thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Inland Northwest tonight, bringing strong winds, lightning and hail, the National Weather Service says. The hot weather that had been anticipated today never came, as clouds and scattered showers cooled off the region. Instead of hitting nearly 100 in Coeur d’Alene this afternoon, the temperature remained in the low 80s. But above the clouds an unstable air mass still could produce thunderstorms this evening or overnight, especially in the Idaho Panhandle, said Matt Fugazzi, meteorologist with the weather service office in Spokane. Highs the rest of the week are forecast in the 90s, with the hottest day expected to be Friday. The forecast at the end of the week remains iffy, Fugazzi said, “but we’re confident it will remain warmer than normal.”