Weekend weather

After above-normal temperatures in June and July, you knew that the hot summer weather was bound to return.

Today will offer a transition into a new round of heat.

The National Weather Service is calling for hot weather through at least early next week with highs across the region mainly in the middle and upper 90s starting on Friday and lows in the 60s.

Urban areas in Spokane and lower elevation cities to the south and west could see temperatures in the upper 90s to triple digits.

That’s a notch below the record-breaking heat in late June, but it’s consistent with what has been a hot and dry summer.

Through Wednesday, the average temperature in July was 4.2 degrees above normal, extending a string of above-normal months extending back to last fall. June averaged a whopping 9.3 degrees above normal.

Spokane is now in the period that statistically is the hottest of the year with a normal high today of 86 and a normal low of 58.

Higher air pressure has returned to the region and shows no signs of letting go, forecasters said.

The 14-day outlook from the weather service is calling for above-normal temperatures through the period.

About the only place to go for refuge besides lower elevation lakes is into the mountains.

While Sandpoint gets into the lower 90s this weekend, nearby mountains at elevations above 5,000 feet are more likely to get to the upper 70s to lower 80s.

The Kettle Crest to the west is going to see similar temperatures, but a few degrees warmer.

Overnight lows in the mountains will be comfortably in the upper 50s.

The Lake Roosevelt recreation area should get to 100 degrees on Friday and Saturday and near 100 on Sunday.

Moses Lake should go to 101 on Friday and Saturday.