Freezing temps reported across Inland NW

The growing season for frost-sensitive plants came to an early end in many locations across the Inland Northwest this morning. Most of them were in outlying areas near mountains. The National Weather Service reported that lows in the 20s and lower 30s were seen in valleys, along mountainsides and at higher elevations. However, Spokane stayed relatively mild with lows at around 41 and 42 degrees. The Coeur d’Alene air terminal went down to 37. Urban areas with temperatures at or below freezing were Post Falls at 32 and Sandpoint at 31. Deer Park also dropped to 32. Cold temperatures are expected again tonight as polar air pushes across the Continental Divide. The weather service has issued a freeze warning for tonight across the northeast mountains of Washington, North Idaho north of Coeur d’Alene and the mountainous areas of the central Panhandle for temperatures running from the upper 20s to lower 30s. Freeze warnings are issued when cold weather occurs during the normal frost-free growing season for an area. This morning’s readings show the fickle nature of frost. Cold often settles into lower areas and is influenced by nearby slopes. Two miles east of Moscow this morning, the temperature was reported at 29 degrees. Just a mile away, the low was 40. Ferry County had some of the coldest readings with 27 degrees reported four miles west of Republic. Another location with freezing temperatures was Okanogan County where wild fires and floods destroyed homes, washed out roads and left the area in chaos earlier this summer. One spot near Mazama reported 28 degrees. Spokane and Coeur d’Alene should escape frost tonight with lows forecasted to run from 36 to 37 degrees in both cities. The weather service said the earliest frost on record in Spokane was on Sept. 10, 1895. The latest frost was on Nov. 11, 1944. The air quality in Spokane today was in the lower part of the good range.