Polar front set to bring temperature drop today

You knew the past week of balmy spring weather just couldn’t last.

That was the warm version of April in the Inland Northwest.

Get ready for the cold one.

A polar front out of Canada was pushing southward Tuesday, and it is expected to bring windy conditions and an 18-degree drop from Tuesday’s high of 77 in Spokane. The high in Coeur d’Alene was 76.

The dry air mass will bring with it the likelihood of freezing temperatures overnight, possibly cold enough to damage crops, including fruit trees that are in bloom, forecasters said. Forecasts for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene today ranged from 59 to 63, with daytime temperatures dropping to 51 degrees in both cities by Friday. The average high in Spokane is 61 for the end of April.

The National Weather Service in Spokane on Tuesday issued a wind advisory for the Inland Northwest for this morning. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching 40 mph are expected with even heavier winds in North Idaho. The wind should continue until about 2 p.m. Cool breezes may persist through much of the week.

“People are going to think it is winter again,” said Bob Tobin, forecaster for the weather service. “It’s going to be mostly a cooldown and a wind event.”

By Tuesday night, the dry Canadian front was moving across the British Columbia-Alberta border and carrying winds of 25 mph or higher.

In addition, a few thunderstorms were reported south of the front.

Tobin said that chilly conditions should persist through Sunday morning, when Bloomsday pre-race temperatures are forecast to range from the upper 30s to perhaps 40 degrees around 9 a.m.

Noontime temperatures should hit the low-50s under partly cloudy skies.

Forecasters said “there is potential for a widespread freeze threat for agricultural interests” Thursday night and Friday morning.

Gardeners are advised to cover any frost-sensitive plants or bring them indoors at night if they are planted in pots.