484
FXUS66 KOTX 200955
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
255 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...
12Z TAFS: VFR conditions will prevail. Breezy winds will continue
near KEAT, decrease through the morning. Winds will increase in
the Okanogan Valley this morning, before decreasing in the
early evening.

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

&&

.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.

&&

$$