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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Summer-like weather to hold through the Fourth of July holiday

Fourth of July fireworks explode in a rainbow of colors behind the U.S. Pavilion in Riverfront Park. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

The current round of warm weather is expected to continue through the Fourth of July holiday with Friday bumping into the upper 80s in Spokane.

A few showers are possible in mountain areas closer to the Canadian border on Saturday and Sunday, and gusty winds may arrive in time for the holiday.

Heightened fire danger is a concern, especially after a large complex of wildfires triggered by lighting broke out on Monday in western Grant County.

Smoke from those fires reached Spokane on Wednesday, but the blue haze is expected to clear out on Thursday as winds shift to the southwest.

“The prospect of gusty winds and low humidity Monday and Tuesday will raise concerns for wildfires heading into the July Fourth holiday,” said forecaster Greg Koch of the National Weather Service in Wednesday’s forecast discussion.

In Spokane, high temperatures will start out Thursday at 83 degrees, going to 88 degrees on Friday as a ridge of higher air pressure brings several days of warmer, but comfortable weather.

Saturday and Sunday should both be in the middle to upper 80s.

In the mountains, brief downpours are likely both days from a weak weather disturbance along the Canadian border.

Then, a broad trough of low air pressure is expected to reach the British Columbia coastline on Monday and Tuesday, setting the stage for cooler temperatures and gusty winds, especially in the Columbia Basin, the Palouse and West Plains.

Temperatures will vary depending on location. The mountains near Sandpoint will have highs in the 70s at about 4,000 feet elevation.

At Lake Roosevelt, highs will run from the middle 80s to lower 90s with the hottest temperatures on Saturday and Sunday.

Lake Coeur d’Alene will run from the upper 70s to middle 80s.