Clouds, rain approach region for weekend

Just as the weather takes on an air of early spring, a new Pacific storm is approaching the West Coast with clouds, rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast. Today is going to be the warmest day of the year so far. The National Weather Service updated its forecast late this morning and bumped the forecasted high in downtown Spokane from 58 to 63. It was already 54 degrees at Spokane International Airport at 10 a.m., equaling Thursday’s high of 54. So, enjoy the sun while it lasts. The mild weather should hang on for part of Saturday when a high of 50 is expected, but the forecast calls for increasing clouds and a chance of showers through the day. The storm system is likely to intensify overnight Saturday bringing rain and showers into the day on Sunday with highs dropping to the 40s. Winds may gust into the 20s. Overnight lows on Saturday, however, should be mild at about 41, forecasters said. A cold front passing the region on Sunday should allow snow levels to fall to valley floors with a chance of snow showers on Sunday and Monday nights, but temperatures during the day will rise into the lower 40s. The outlook for the week calls for more rain or showers with highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s, a more typical pattern for the last week of winter. Spring starts on Monday night.