Temperatures to peak mid-week in Spokane, flooding continues on Okanogan, Pend Oreille rivers

Sunny weather is heating up Spokane this week, offering a summer tease before clouds and possible showers move into the region for the Memorial Day weekend.

The warm weather is expected to peak in the low- to mid-80s Wednesday. There may be thunderstorms. The heat will carry into Saturday before cooling down, according to the National Weather Service.

If you’re looking for summer activities to match the temperatures, several options are already available, said Fianna Dickson at Spokane Parks and Recreation. The Skate Ribbon at Riverfront park is open during regular park hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., along with the park’s Rotary Fountain.

Several splash pads will open Memorial Day at parks throughout Spokane. The city’s six free public pools will open in June.

For those traveling this week, the heat wave could be more intense. Temperatures are expected to edge toward the 90s near the Columbia Basin, Wenatchee and Omak.

In the rest of Eastern Washington, flooding that started earlier this month will continue on the Okanogan and Pend Oreille rivers.

The Okanogan is currently receding to moderate flood stage, but is expected to begin rising again on Thursday and return to major flood stage, said meteorologist Steve Bodnar with the National Weather Service in Spokane.

That peak is significant, but will be lower than the last high water of May 19. The river is expected to drop again after Monday.

The Pend Oreille River will continue to slowly rise throughout the week until Memorial Day, when major flooding is expected.