Weather

Mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 70s had made today feel like spring ought to feel.

The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a new forecast backing off on the risk of showers this afternoon and Friday.

Power Council predicts adequate supply despite low river flows

Light rain and drizzle covered the Spokane area early this morning, and are expected to continue through the day today.

Rain showers are possible late today as a Pacific storm system spreadsbands of moisture northward from California.

The lashing winds from Thursday are gone to be left by breezy conditions and a wind chill of 16 degrees this morning as measured at Spokane International Airport.

Partly sunny skies and mild afternoon temperatures are expected today, but forecasters are warning that Thursday will be windy.

Snow or rain could fall this morning from a storm system that is moving onshore to the south.

This afternoon's snow flurries notwithstanding, Easter day should bring relatively pleasant weather with highs forecast near 53 degrees in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, according to the National Weather Service.

Stormy weather is bearing down on the Inland Northwest today with rain or snow and windy conditions expected through tonight.

April Fools' Day is bringing another round of scattered snow and rain showers to the region, forecasters said.

An active tropical storm and hurricane season may be just around the meteorological corner, especially when compared to last season. Many forecasters believe this upcoming season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, has the potential to be very active. I agree with the initial forecasts. The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season was below average with nine named tropical storms. That was the fewest since the 1997 season, which had only seven named storms. One of the reasons for the low number of tropical storms was the formation of El Niño, the abnormal warming of ocean waters near the west coast of South America. During an El Niño event, upper-level weather patterns change, resulting in the “shearing” of tropical storms and hurricanes.

The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a winter storm watch for Friday through Saturday for elevations above 3,000 feet in Washington and Idaho.

Showers and a chance of thunderstorms between sun breaks are likely today in the wake of Monday’s rain and wind storm.

At least 2,800 Inland Northwest electrical customers were without power this afternoon after winds to 54 mph peaked early this afternoon, officials said.

A blustery March day is coming to the Inland Northwest in the wake of a cold front on Thursday.

A golden sunrise this morning may be the last of the fair weather this morning as a Pacific cold front approaches the Inland Northwest.

Thunderstorm season in the Inland Northwest is right around the corner. Although we do get our share of thunder, lightning, hail and even a rare tornado, the severity of these storms does not compare to the ones seen east of the Rockies, especially in the Great Plains “Tornado Alley.” The North Cascades to the west and the Rockies to the east often protect our region from the elements that produce thunderstorm and tornado activity. The warmer and more humid waters from the Gulf of Mexico are necessary to help produce the severe weather conditions across much of the central U.S., the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic states and occasionally the Northeast. Thanks to the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf of Mexico’s influence is limited across the Northwest.