Weekend weather: Summer temperatures return to Inland NW

Drier sunny weather is returning to the Inland Northwest for the weekend, but enjoy the return to summer weather because a new cold front is expected to arrive Monday.

Until then, look for mostly clear skies and highs in the mid 80s through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, with lows in the 50s.

Forecasters describe it as a great weekend to get back out to the lake.

In North Idaho, pockets of morning fog could develop in the Priest River area but are expected to dissipate as soil still moist from last weekend’s rains begin to dry from the above-average temperatures and bright sunshine.

Saturday is forecast to be the warmest day, with a high of 87 degrees expected in Spokane.

That compares to an expected high of 82 today, 85 on Friday and back to 83 on Sunday. Light northeast winds up to 6 or 7 mph are expected until Friday.

The forecast highs for Coeur d’Alene are similar, while Lewiston could lead the region with a high of 92 on Saturday. Colville could see a high of 88 on Saturday.

Winds likely will begin picking up Sunday afternoon and evening, though, as a cold front arrives.

That is expected to bring a chance of rain showers in the mountains by Monday as the remnants of a decaying tropical storm system passes through. Cloudy conditions could begin developing across the region Sunday night as well.

Spokane’s daytime high Monday is expected to be 71 and Tuesday likely won’t make it past the mid 60s.

The chance of showers climbs to 30 percent, though forecasters expect the system to move through quickly, which would limit total rainfall. Lows will drop into the 40s.