Rain arrives today with mild Pacific system

A frontal system drawing deep moisture from tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean is moving toward the Inland Northwest today. Rain is expected by this afternoon with a tenth to a quarter inch likely by evening. The high temperature should reach about 50 degrees with breezy winds and gusts to 28 mph. The rain should keep coming tonight with another tenth to a quarter inch likely and a low of 43. Breezes will continue to blow leaves around. But the strong storm system is also blowing higher air pressure into the region, ensuring that the second half of the work week remains relatively mild for mid-autumn and dry, forecasters said. Mostly sunny skies and a high of 54 are likely on Tuesday. The National Weather Service said it expects high temperatures to peak in the upper 50s on Wednesday. Highs might otherwise be warmer except that the longer nights will create lower-elevation pools of colder air that will not completely warm back up during the day on Thursday and Friday. Such temperature inversions are typical of fair weather periods this time of year. Cloudy but dry weather is likely through the weekend. Areas of fog are expected Tuesday night through Saturday night. Snow levels are rising today above pass levels, although a few hours of snowfall are possible on higher mountain passes, including Sherman Pass, forecasters said. At 7 a.m., it was 45 at Spokane International Airport, 46 at Felts Field, 41 in Deer Park and Coeur d’Alene and 44 in Pullman.