Weekend weather: Cooler temps, slight chance of showers ahead

A large low pressure system out of the Gulf of Alaska has brought another round of showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Inland Northwest this week.

The low will hang around through the weekend, bringing cooler temperatures, more clouds and chances of showers and thunderstorms mainly through tomorrow, but lingering into Saturday and Sunday in areas closer to the mountains.

The highest risk for precipitation will be along the Cascades and northern mountains through tomorrow night, tapering off on Saturday and Sunday.

Much of the region will start out with good weather today. Spokane is expected to have mostly sunny skies and a high of around 80 today.

Showers and mid-day thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow although the chances are just 30 percent. The high should be around 75. Shower chances drop off on Saturday with mostly sunny skies expected through Sunday. Highs will approach 80 in Spokane both days.

Coeur d’Alene will see cooler temperatures mainly in the mid-70s with mostly sunny skies today and then shower and thunderstorm chances through Saturday. The risk of storms is greatest at 40 percent tomorrow night. Partly sunny skies are expected Saturday and Sunday.

Sandpoint is forecast to be much wetter with showers likely today and tomorrow. The storms are expected to subside on Saturday. Highs will be near 70 with lows near 50.

The mountains of North Idaho and Northeast Washington are likely to see even more intense storms with the chance of showers going from 70 percent today to 20 percent Saturday and Sunday.

The Lake Roosevelt recreation areas should see highs in the lower to middle 80s with the chance of showers the greatest tomorrow at 40 percent before mostly sunny to partly sunny skies return for Saturday and Sunday.