Rain expected across lower elevations

Rain should start falling sometime around 4 p.m. today across the lower elevations of the Inland Northwest. Snow levels are expected to rise into the mountains as a new weather system arrives from the northwest. About a tenth of an inch of rain is predicted in Spokane from 4 p.m. through about 3 a.m. on Friday. Snow levels should rise to 4,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation in areas south of U.S. Highway 2, which runs through Spokane. To the north, snow could fall as low as 2,000 to 2,500 feet in elevation. Downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley are about 1,900 feet. The system should help blow away stagnant air that has been in place across the region during the holiday period. An air stagnation advisory is in effect until noon on Friday across much of Eastern Washington. In Spokane, southwest wind gusts are expected to peak at about 20 mph tonight and Friday. Highs today and Friday should reach the middle to upper 30s. Lows tonight should drop to the lower 30s. Colder air moving into the region over the weekend is expected to bring partly to mostly sunny skies on Friday and Saturday. Late night and early morning fog return to the forecast starting Saturday night. Highs will go to the lower 30s this weekend. Lows will be in the lower 20s starting Friday night and then to the upper teens by Sunday night. A chance of snow returns to the forecast by Tuesday.