Rain moving over region today

Rain falling to the south and west of Spokane is expected to migrate northeastward during the day today, bringing mostly light precipitation to the region. Snowfall levels could rise to nearly 5,000 feet as the wave of warm, moist air sweeps into the region. The rain should trigger some snow melt and stream runoff, especially along the east slopes of the Cascades, forecasters said. Light rain was falling at 7 a.m. in Tri-Cities, Ephrata and Moses Lake. Forecasters said the band of precipitation should cross Spokane and reach the Sandpoint area by 4 p.m. Highs today will reach about 50 degrees in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene with little if any winds. Forecasters said a low pressure area along the northern California coast is forcing a middle elevation disturbance northward along the Cascades and drawing an area of moist, mild air over the region. Improving weather is expected Thursday through Sunday with highs in the middle 50s and lows in the middle 30s. Fog could be a problem early Thursday as a result of the moisture expected today. Sunny skies are likely later in the week. At 7 a.m., spring-like conditions were apparent. It was 38 at Spokane International Airport, 39 in downtown Spokane, 36 in Coeur d’Alene and Pullman and 34 in Deer Park.