Rain returns to forecast; snow possible at night

After a sunny day Tuesday and a dry start to today, the weather is going to shift back to the cool and wet pattern that has dominated the weather for weeks now. Rain is likely in the Inland Northwest mainly after 11 a.m., although amounts are expected to be light. Highs are only going to reach about 49 in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Winds will be light. A low pressure system moving into the area today will initially start out as rain and then change to a pattern of showers during the latter part of the day. Snow levels tonight should drop to 2,000 feet, raising the possibility that flakes may fall in the valleys of the region, although accumulations are not likely. The wet pattern continues Thursday with a 50 percent chance of showers and Thursday night with a 60 percent chance. Wind gusts are likely starting tonight out of the west at 23 mph and continuing into Thursday from the south with gusts to 25 mph. Highs will remain near 50 with lows in the lower 30s. Rain or snow is possible Thursday night. The unsettled spring weather continues through Saturday although the chance of showers drops to 30 percent or less. Temperatures remain cool into the weekend. At 7 a.m., it was 36 at Spokane International Airport, Coeur d’Alene and Deer Park, 37 at Felts Field and 41 in Pullman.