Weekend weather: Warmer temperatures ahead until late Saturday

The Inland Northwest is due for a short stretch of summer weather before a new frontal system reaches the region late Saturday into Sunday.

Highs should reach the upper 70s to lower 80s in most locales on Thursday and Friday and possibly Saturday.

The risk of freezing weather, which struck some northern locations on Wednesday morning, has subsided for now.

Lows in Spokane should reach the upper 40s to middle 50s through Saturday night.

Winds are expected to be light and mainly from the south or southwest.

An approaching low pressure system could bring substantial rain to some locations.

A frontal system may get fed with tropical moisture from Typhoon Meranti, which struck Taiwan and China on Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The typhoon moisture is expected to move quickly across the northern Pacific Ocean pushed by jet stream air currents.

“Significant rainfall will be possible ahead of the front, especially near the Cascades and over the Idaho Panhandle,” according to a Wednesday morning forecast discussion.

“Breezy and unsettled conditions are expected behind the cold front for the latter half of the weekend,” the discussion said.

The chance of rain showers in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene increases late Saturday and continues through much of the day on Sunday.

Rainfall is expected to be greater in North Idaho.

The high on Sunday may reach the lower to middle 70s, but forecasters said it could be cooler than that.

Some areas might see highs in the middle 60s on Sunday.

Dry conditions and milder weather return next week.

The equinox and arrival of autumn occur Sept. 22 at 7:21 a.m.