Wind advisory remains in effect through 5 p.m.

Winds gusted to 41 mph at Spokane International Airport today as the Inland Northwest feels the effects of the latest spring cold front to cross the region. A wind advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. today for the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas as well as the Palouse and Columbia Basin, although wind gusts are expected to continue through the evening hours. The wind advisory was expanded late this morning to include all of Northeast Washington and North Idaho. Today is the third consecutive day of windy conditions. Gusts peaked at 39 mph on Saturday and 36 mph on Sunday at the airport. Today’s winds were clocked at 55 mph on the Lakeview ridge at Schweitzer ski area in North Idaho. Heavy rain was reported at 10 a.m. in Sandpoint. Frost is possible tonight and Tuesday night in the wake of the newest cold front. But forecasters are calling for a warming trend with highs in the 60s starting on Wednesday. Even warmer weather is likely over the weekend with highs in the 70s. A high pressure area that has been anchored off the Pacific Coast is expected to move inland, bringing sunny skies and warmer air by mid-week.