Weekend weather: First hint of summer temps arrives

Mostly sunny is a great word to see in the forecast this time of year. The warmest weather of the year is expected today with a high near 82 in Spokane.

The National Weather Service is warning people going to the region’s tributary rivers to be careful. The heat is triggering an increase in snowmelt, which will cause rivers to rise and keep water temperatures dangerously cold.

A glancing hit from a low pressure system will drop the highs in Spokane to 78 on Friday and 71 on Saturday, with mostly sunny skies.

Breezy southwest winds and gusts to 20 mph are possible Friday as a result of the lowering air pressure. That should be followed by a cold front on Saturday.

Forecasted lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s are beckoning gardeners to move ahead with planting tender annuals and vegetables.

The weather could change Saturday night into Sunday as lower air pressure claims a stronger presence over the region. The mild overnight conditions could go back to the lower 40s by Sunday night.

Highs are expected to drop to the middle 60s in Spokane under mostly cloudy skies and 20 to 30 percent chance of showers.

In Coeur d’Alene, the warm weather will give way to more clouds and higher shower chances with slightly cooler temperatures over the weekend.

In Sandpoint, even more showers and clouds and cooler temperatures are expected.

The Columbia Basin will see more sun and heat with highs going to 86 in Moses Lake today. Pullman should see 81 today.