Today officially warmest day of year so far

A 3 p.m. reading of 54 at Spokane International Airport is the warmest temperature recorded so far this year, but only by a single degree. The temperature at Felts Field near Millwood stood at 56. Coeur d’Alene was also at 54. That passes the 53 degrees on Sunday and is the warmest since the high of 56 last Nov. 23. National Weather Service forecasters said Friday should be even warmer. Right now, they are predicting a high of 55 in Spokane and 54 in Coeur d’Alene under sunny skies. Higher air pressure from the Pacific Ocean has moved onshore, ending the northwesterly flow that has kept that past several days cool during the day and cold at night. The high is going to move east by Saturday, which will start out mild and give way to an incoming rain storm by Saturday night. Snow showers are possible Sunday night in the wake of a new cold front. Next week should bring unsettled weather with rain or showers at times with highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s until Thursday when another warm up to 50 is possible. .