Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Spokane, WA

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FXUS66 KOTX 171726
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1026 AM PDT Sun Mar 17 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure will build over the Pacific Northwest through the
weekend bringing an extended period of very warm and dry weather
to the region. The temperatures will cool and a chance of
precipitation returns next Wednesday onward, including mountain
snow into next weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The weather forecast through Tuesday will feature lots of sun,
nearly clear skies, and well-above normal daytime temperatures
across the Inland Northwest. If you`re looking for an excuse to
head outdoors, here`s your nudge. Don`t forget the water and
sunscreen; it`s been a while since we`ve seen so much sun.
Temperatures in the 60s and low 70s will be common with overnights
dipping into upper 30s and low 40s.

The ridge of high pressure will begin to weaken by midweek,
introducing cooler temperatures and a return of chances of
precipitation. When consulting the ensemble model guidance, there is
22% of the guidance that is in favor of this quicker moving trough
Wednesday into Thursday. The ridge will flatten to the southeast
with the approaching trough. A westerly flow will create a shadow
effect across the central Basin, leaving the Cascades, northeast
Washington and north Idaho as the best chances for measurable
precipitation. Nothing anomalous with regard to precipitation or the
available moisture on the ensemble charts. By late week (Thur/Fri),
the 850mb temperatures begin to cool. Compared with today`s
temperature (+10C to +12C), we will be faced with near 0C. Given the
time of year and sun angle, don`t expect much in the way of snow to
accumulate, but yes we will once again be looking at a rain/snow mix
for our lower valleys as snow levels drop to near 3200 feet.

Friday, additional snow accumulation for our mountain passes looks
very reasonable. Right now the NBM gives Stevens Pass a 25% chance
for over 4 inches of snow and 15% chance for over 6 inches; Sherman
Pass a 11% chance for more than 4 inches; Lookout Pass a 25% chance
for over 6 inches and 10% chance for more than 8 inches.

The westerly flow aloft will remain settled over the region into
next weekend, leaving the Northwest in an unsettled pattern once
again for several days. Temperatures will trend cooler and more
seasonable for mid-late March. /Dewey


&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFS: High pressure will result in VFR conditions for local
and regional airfields for the next 24 hrs. Locally breezy
drainage winds near COE early today, but otherwise winds will be
light and diurnally/terrain driven.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence in
VFR conditions.

------------------------

Confidence descriptors:
Low - Less than a 30 percent chance
Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance
High - Greater than a 70 percent chance

For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane airports,
please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our webpage:
https://www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Spokane        67  41  68  41  67  43 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Coeur d`Alene  66  40  65  40  65  41 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Pullman        67  42  68  43  68  44 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Lewiston       70  45  73  45  73  48 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Colville       69  38  68  38  67  40 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Sandpoint      62  39  61  39  61  40 /   0   0   0   0   0  20
Kellogg        67  44  66  43  66  43 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Moses Lake     71  41  72  42  72  43 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Wenatchee      72  48  72  46  72  45 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Omak           74  44  73  43  71  44 /   0   0   0   0   0  10

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...None.
WA...None.
&&

$$


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