Rain chance today: 100 percent
This should come as no surprise, but the National Weather Service in Spokane says there is a 100 percent chance of rain today.
The weather service estimates that between a quarter-inch and half-inch of rain could fall in the Spokane area by the end of the day.
Forecasters said that more rain is likely Friday, with thunderstorms possible after noon. The chance of precipitation drops from about 70 percent Friday morning to about 25 percent by 5 p.m.
So far today, Spokane International Airport recorded 0.72 inches of rain over a 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Most of that fell starting about 1 a.m. Steady southwest winds were blowing at 20 mph at the airport.
The record rainfall for today was set in 1930 with 1.38 inches.
Elsewhere, Deer Park Airport had 0.88 inches of rain in the past 24 hours ending at 11 a.m.
Quartz Peak near Mount Spokane had 2.7 inches of rain, according to automated readings.
In Idaho, Coeur d’Alene Airport had 0.71 inches in the past 24 hours, but other locations in Coeur d’Alene saw as much as an inch.
To the north in Bonners Ferry, 1.8 inches of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. broke the record for the date set in 1910. Two-day rainfall totals were even higher with 2.74 inches reported in Bonners Ferry.
Some locations in North Idaho along with Quartz Peak have had 3 inches of rain, forecasters said.
The weather service issued a small-stream flood advisory for Pend Oreille, Shoshone, Boundary and Bonner counties that’s in effect until this afternoon. Campers shouldn’t set up camp near creeks and streams because of the possibility that they’ll rise rapidly, the weather service said, and drivers on mountain roads should be careful about crossing standing or flowing water.
Not only has it been rainy, but the 11 a.m. temperature of 49 at the airport would set a record for coldest maximum if it continues through the day.
Saturday will see some clearing, with the forecast calling for partly sunny conditions and a high near 72. Sunday should start out dry, but a chance of showers arrives in the afternoon. Wet weather may return next week at times with the chance of showers pegged at around 50 percent on Monday and Tuesday.