506
FXUS66 KOTX 201747
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1047 AM PDT Fri Sep 20 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

Weather will trend drier toward the end of the work week, then
light rain chances mainly for the mountains Sunday into Monday. A
ridge of high pressure will deliver above normal temperatures
early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Today through Sunday night: We continue under a northwest flow as
systems move to our north and south. The system passing to the north
is tightening the pressure gradient, with increased winds. The
breezy winds in the Cascade Gaps and Waterville Plateau currently
will begin to decrease through the early morning as the front moves
through. Behind the front, winds will switch more northerly through
the Okanogan Valley, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Winds will decrease
Friday evening, continuing to be light and northerly regionwide
through Sunday.

Temperatures will be near normal to slightly below normal Friday and
Saturday with temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. Overnight
lows on Friday night will be the coolest we`ve seen in recent
months, with temperatures dropping generally into the low 40s, with
valleys in the Idaho Panhandle and northern mountains dropping to
near or slightly below freezing. Pockets of colder temperatures in
the northern mountains are possible, with those areas seeing upper
20s. Highs will warm slightly Sunday, with overnight lows trending
warmer as well. Those who are still tending to gardens may want to
take precautions. /KM

Monday to Thursday: A ridge of high pressure builds over the
Pacific Northwest through the first part of the work week, leading
to dry conditions with above normal temperatures. Some slight
shower chances linger near the Cascade crest and Central Panhandle
Mountains Monday, mainly early. Then the building ridge dries
things out. Temperatures are expected to push above normal by
about 10-15 degrees or so Tuesday and Wednesday. Then the next
trough edges toward the latter part of the work week, with
temperature dipping again toward normal and the threat of mountain
showers. The first shower chances push into the Cascades Wednesday
as the ridge axis shifts east and the onshore flow increases. Then
the risk expands to the northern WA and ID Panhandle mountains
between Wednesday night and Thursday. Overall precipitation
amounts look light. Otherwise it will remain partly cloudy. Winds
will be relatively light through Tuesday, then start to becoming a
bit breezier Wednesday and Thursday. Gusts near 15-20 mph will be
possible. /Solveig


&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFS: VFR conditions will prevail. Wave clouds with cloud
bases around 9 kft agl will persist from the Methow Valley over to
the Okanogan Highlands today. Expect the potential for mid to high
level turbulence with stronger winds aloft in a northwest to
southeast oriented jet over the north portions of the Inland
Northwest. Breezy west to northwest winds through the Cascades
(KEAT) and northerly down the Okanogan Valley (KOMK) with gusts
of 20-30 kts expected into the early afternoon. Wind gusts
gradually decrease from mid afternoon into the evening (after
20Z).

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
for VFR conditions to continue. /SVH

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Spokane        71  39  72  43  74  47 /   0   0   0   0  10  20
Coeur d`Alene  69  40  70  42  71  47 /   0   0   0   0  10  20
Pullman        65  38  69  39  70  45 /   0   0   0   0  10  20
Lewiston       73  48  74  48  76  55 /   0   0   0   0   0  20
Colville       69  31  72  34  72  38 /   0   0   0   0  20  20
Sandpoint      67  37  68  38  67  43 /   0   0   0   0  10  30
Kellogg        65  42  68  45  69  47 /   0   0   0   0  10  30
Moses Lake     73  42  74  43  77  49 /   0   0   0   0  10  10
Wenatchee      72  49  74  52  77  56 /   0   0   0   0  10  10
Omak           75  44  76  48  76  51 /   0   0   0   0  10  10

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for
     Northern Panhandle.

WA...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for
     Northeast Mountains-Okanogan Highlands.

&&

$$