Another rain storm boosts March to second wettest on record, but sun is on the way

A rainstorm on Wednesday boosted the March precipitation total to second wettest on record.

But a break in the weather on Friday and Saturday should brighten the stage as national media like ESPN visit Spokane to highlight Gonzaga University’s first appearance in the Final Four.

As of mid-afternoon, the National Weather Service recorded 0.37 inches of rain on Wednesday at Spokane International Airport.

That carried the total for the month to 4.07 inches, second only to 2012 when 4.56 inches fell.

Forecaster Jeffrey Cote said it is unlikely that enough rain will fall through Friday to set a new record.

A series of what forecasters call “atmospheric rivers” from the subtropics and tropics brought the high precipitation amounts across the West Coast dating back to last fall.

Showers are still in the forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday, but conditions are expected to dry out on Friday when mostly sunny skies are likely. Saturday should see partly sunny skies.

Highs through the weekend should be in the middle 50s with lows in the middle 30s.

The weather service has continued flood warnings and flood watches for Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Forecasters warned about danger from standing water as well as landslides.

Lake Coeur d’Alene has fallen below flood stage but is expected to remain high through early next week.

The Spokane River was flowing at minor flood stage and expected to drop next week.

The Little Spokane River was expected to briefly go into flood stage Thursday before receding to its banks.

Spokane County engineers said a washout on Valley Road south of Bernhill Road has forced a closure there.

Idaho Transportation Department said it is planning to pave a temporary route around a washout west of St. Maries on state Highway 5.

The work will be on Friday night starting at 8 p.m. The highway will be closed during the paving of the 500-foot temporary section.

To the north, U.S. Highway 395 remained closed due to water overflowing Mill Creek northwest of Colville. Detours were in use.

Also, state Highway 31 north of Ione was closed due to mudslide risk. Passenger vehicles can use Sullivan Lake Road.