Half inch of rain or more falls by noon

The Spokane and Coeur d’Alene region has seen a half inch of rain or more during the morning hours today from a strong Pacific storm that is moving across the Inland Northwest. By noon, Spokane International Airport had recorded 0.51 inches of rain. Another 0.11 inches fell before rainfall started subsiding this afternoon. Felts Field near Millwood had 0.58 inches so far today. In Coeur d’Alene, the rain gauge this morning had 0.67 inches in it by noon, while Cheney had 0.61 inches over the morning hours. The heavy rain was also reported to the north. Bonners Ferry had 0.66 inches this morning. Rainfall rates should begin to ease by this evening as the storm lifts to the north, forecasters said. A small stream and urban flood advisory is in effect for Pend Oreille, Bonner and Boundary counties. In addition, the Kootenai River is at minor flood stage due to high flows from Canada, heavy June rain and late snow melt. The central Panhandle mountains have received three-quarters to an inch of rain this morning, and the heavy precipitation was moving northward at mid-day.