218
FXUS66 KOTX 280632
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1132 PM PDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...
- Areas of frost Monday morning over eastern Washington and
  Idaho Panhandle mountain valleys and Upper Columbia Basin, as
  well the outlying areas around the Spokane area.

- Mild and dry pattern this week, except for rain near the Cascade crest
  and chance of rain North Idaho Panhandle on Tuesday

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Chilly fall like overnight temperatures will result in areas of
frost for Monday morning again over Northeast Washington and the
Idaho Panhandle as well as the Upper Columbia Basin. Moisture
off the Pacific will bring rain to the Cascade crest on Tuesday,
but remaining mostly dry east of the Cascades. Temperatures
will moderate back to near normal next week. Seasonal
temperatures then continue through the rest of the work week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Today: A zonal A zonal flow pattern will be over the region
today. It will bring a gradual increase in the upper level
moisture. Precipitable water values will increase from 0.3-0.5
of an inch to 0.6-0.0 of an inch. It will be a precursor to the
incoming weak Atmospheric River event expected on Tuesday. Highs
for the day will be slightly 60s to low 70s. Overnight lows
will be warmer than previous nights with 40s to low 50s range.

Tuesday: A weak atmospheric river will push into the region.
The main impact for many will be gusty winds as the rain shadow
effect will limit precip across the basin. Ensembles are is
decent agreement for the period. Precipitable water increases to
150-200 percent of normal. Rains will be highest along the
Cascade crest with around 0.50 to 1.00 inch of rain, with light
rain spilling over the crest into the upper reaches of the
Methow Valley, Lake Chelan, and Lake Wenatchee. Weaker chances
extend over the higher terrain of Idaho Panhandle. Amounts are
expected to have little to no accumulation. The region will be
situated just north of the Canadian border. With speeds near 140
kts, The Cascade ridges has potential of gusts into 40-50 mph
range. Winds will reach into the basin during the afternoon with
gusts into the 20-30 mph range. Highs will be in the 60 to low
70s. Overnight lows will be a little cooler with a upper 30s to
40 range.

Wednesday through Saturday: High pressure off the southern
California coast will nudge a ridge into the Pacific Northwest.
It will bring a warm, dry quiet period for the region. Ensembles
differ on the timing of the strongest period of the the ridge.
Highs will be in the 70s. Lows will be in the upper 30s and
40s. /JDC

&&

.AVIATION...
06Z TAFS: Broken to overcast cirrus over southeast Washington
into Idaho will gradually move out of the region tonight. A few
additional mid and high clouds will pass through on Monday with
a slight uptick in afternoon winds as a weather system
approaches. VFR conditions are expected regionwide through 06z
Tuesday.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
for VFR conditions at all TAF sites.

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

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        39  67  45  68  47  69 /   0   0   0  10   0   0
Coeur d`Alene  35  66  43  65  48  67 /   0   0   0  10  10   0
Pullman        38  65  42  68  45  67 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Lewiston       46  70  46  74  55  72 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Colville       28  69  41  67  36  69 /   0   0   0  10  10   0
Sandpoint      31  63  41  62  42  64 /   0   0   0  10  30   0
Kellogg        36  64  42  62  48  64 /   0   0   0  10  40  10
Moses Lake     35  71  46  72  45  71 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Wenatchee      46  70  50  69  52  68 /   0   0   0  20  10   0
Omak           36  69  48  66  44  69 /   0   0   0  10   0   0

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Frost Advisory until 9 AM PDT Monday for Moses Lake Area-
     Spokane Area-Upper Columbia Basin.
ID...Frost Advisory until 9 AM PDT Monday for Coeur d`Alene Area.

&&

$$