The National Weather Service said that hot weather could reach the Inland Northwest next Wednesday through Friday.

High temperatures should push into the middle to upper 90s with Spokane peaking at 97 on Friday.

An area of high air pressure is moving into the region, which will eventually allow the ongoing heat in the deserts of Arizona and California to move northward.

Forecasters said they have moderate confidence in their forecast.

Over the years, July Fourth has signaled the start of the hottest part of the year.

The next several days will be a softer version of summer with sunshine and highs in the upper 80s.

The high on Tuesday in Spokane is expected to reach 89.

Lows will be near 60 for the next several days.

The average high for today in Spokane is 78 and the average low is 53.