Cold front to bring gusty winds tonight

A cold front is expected to pass over the Inland Northwest later today, bringing gusty winds during the evening hours. The National Weather Service said that winds from the southwest will increase about 5 p.m. and continue through the nighttime hours. Gusts to 28 mph are possible in Spokane. The cold front is expected to reach the Spokane area about 8 p.m. Some locations could see wind gusts in the range of 40 mph. Wind in south central and southeast Washington could create dust storms, forecasters said. The cold front will also bring an increased chance of showers around 11 p.m. The forecast also calls for a small chance of thunderstorms. Spokane could see up to a tenth of an inch of rain. Coeur d’Alene could see about 0.15 inches of rain. Wednesday’s high in Spokane should be in the middle 60s. Cool and dry air behind the front may result in freezing temperatures in isolated valleys by Thursday morning. In Spokane, the low early Thursday morning may reach the middle 40s. High temperatures will increase starting Thursday, reaching the middle 80s on Saturday and Sunday.