Mike Prager

Three cases of a virulent strain of the equine herpes virus have been reported in Washington state, prompting horse owners to take precautions against spread of the disease.

Warmer temperatures are expected today and Friday with the cooler, wet weather dropping into the southern Rockies.

A couple days of fine spring weather are in store for the Inland Northwest as the cool low that brought rain and cold early in the week eases its hold on the region.

If you are serious about vegetable gardening, don’t be lulled into thinking your harvests are limited to spring, summer and fall. There are several hardy vegetables that if grown properly can provide table fare from November through March.

A storm that moved across the Pacific Northwest is triggering widespread flooding throughout the region, but drier weather for the rest of the week should slow the flow, forecasters said on Monday. At least an inch of rain fell in the mountains of the Inland Northwest, and was combined with about three inches of snowmelt, said Ron Miller, science officer for the National Weather Service office in Spokane.

A wet weekend storm that moved into Spokane on Sunday will continue to bring rain today. Flooding was reported in several areas.

Temperatures rising into the lower 70s on Wednesday gave residents of the Inland Northwest a taste of what spring can really be like. But the mild weather was more of a break in the stormy pattern that has beset the region for months.

A fairly rapid warming of temperatures in the mountains this week, combined with rainfall going into the weekend, could raise Inland Northwest rivers to flood stage or near flood stage.

The Inland Northwest has been going through one of its coolest and wettest springs ever while farmers and scientists are convening this week to launch a $20 million research program on climate change. Nearly 100 researchers and farmers from across the region met Monday at the University of Idaho, where the five-year research program is getting under way. They want to learn new ways to adapt farming to a warming climate.

Bring a raincoat and umbrella if you are planning to watch the 60th running of Spokane’s Junior Lilac Parade on Saturday morning. The 10 a.m. parade begins at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Washington Street and will wind through downtown streets, ending at the Post Street Bridge near City Hall.

Cloudy skies today should give way to wetter conditions over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Bring a raincoat and umbrella if you are planning to watch the 60th running of Spokane’s Junior Lilac Parade on Saturday morning. The 10 a.m. parade begins at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Washington Street and will wind through downtown streets, ending at the Post Street Bridge near City Hall. National Weather Service forecasters are calling for a 50 percent to 60 percent chance of showers during the parade, with a temperature of 50 degrees at the 10 a.m. start. The temperature should warm to 55 by noon.

Clouds and scattered showers return to the Inland Northwest today after a one-day break on Wednesday in what’s been a cool and wet spring.

Paul and Cheri Nelson moved into their historic Corbin Park home in 1988 and have made its restoration one of their biggest projects. The 1905 Craftsman was originally occupied by a physician, who is believed to have seen patients in what is now the library, Paul Nelson said.

Paul and Cheri Nelson moved into their historic Corbin Park home in 1988 and have made its restoration one of their biggest projects. The 1905 Craftsman was originally occupied by a physician, who is believed to have seen patients in what is now the library, Paul Nelson said.