Weekend outdoors weather: Respite from the rain lies ahead

Don’t let today’s weather trick you into thinking the coming weekend is going to be a complete washout.

Saturday and Sunday should both bring sunshine with highs in the 60s. Saturday will likely be the nicest of the two days.

A moist weather system is due to arrive this morning over the Inland Northwest and linger through Friday morning.

There is a 90 percent chance of rain today and a 100 percent chance of showers tonight in Spokane.

Rainfall amounts of up to a half inch through tonight in the Spokane area will give the landscape a good soaking. Higher amounts of rain are likely in North Idaho where the mountains add extra lift and could squeeze another quarter inch of precipitation from the clouds.

High temperatures today and Friday are expected to be in the 50s with lows near 40 tonight and 35 on Friday night.

Breezy conditions with gusts up to 24 mph are forecast for Friday as the storm starts to exit the region.

By Saturday, skies should be sunny as milder temperatures return for the weekend and higher air pressure takes hold. Highs across the region will be in the 60s on Saturday and Sunday with lows near 40.

Sunday may bring some clouds as a very weak weather disturbance moves across the region to the north of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. In Colville, Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, there is a slight chance of showers before dawn on Sunday.

Snow is expected on the region’s mountain tops, and a mix of rain and snow on the slopes below.

To the south, the Palouse should see about a quarter inch of precipitation mainly tonight, but otherwise the forecast is similar to other parts of the region.

To the west, the Columbia Basin will again see less precipitation with temperatures a few degrees warmer than the Spokane area.

Showers are in the forecast for Monday through Wednesday.