686
FXUS66 KOTX 031153
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
453 AM PDT Thu Jul 3 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A chance of showers on Independence Day.

- Thunderstorm chances in far southeastern Washington and the
  southern and central Idaho Panhandle on Independence Day.

- Hot temperatures arrive on Tuesday of next week, possibly
  persisting through the week.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Temperatures will cool into the 80s for Thursday with a chance of
showers on Independence Day. Thunderstorm potential also exists
on Independence day for far southeastern Washington and the
central and southern Idaho Panhandle. Hot temperatures arrive
on Tuesday of next week and may persist through the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Today through tonight: As the ridge moves out of the area,
temperatures drop further today, with highs 6-7 degrees lower than
yesterday. Some breezy winds remain, but will not be as strong as
yesterday`s winds. Dry conditions and clear skies prevail.

Friday through Saturday: As Independence Day nears, models are
hinting at a more active weather pattern than initially thought. A
low pressure system passing to our south will usher a shortwave in,
increasing the chances for precipitation Friday afternoon and
evening. Precipitation chances will be highest in far southeastern
Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, but cannot be ruled out for
Spokane and Coeur d`Alene, as well as in the northern Cascades.
Lift generated by the incoming shortwave will result in a small
chance for thunderstorms, particularly in far southeastern
Washington and into the central and southern Idaho Panhandle.
Highest chances for thunder are 10- 15 percent, but a very close
eye will be kept on both thunderstorm and rainfall potential
considering the holiday. Bigger potential for thunderstorms
arrives Saturday, as the shortwave is moving out of the forecast
area. On Saturday afternoon and evening, thunderstorm chances
move northward and into northeastern Washington and the Northern
Idaho Panhandle. NBM probabilities show a 15-20 percent chance
of thunder for the far northern Idaho Panhandle.

Sunday through Wednesday: Models are now in good agreement of a
warmup beginning Sunday as a ridge moves through. This ridge will
strengthen at the beginning of next week and bring a return to
temperatures in the high 90s. Right now extended models show
Wednesday as the hottest day, with temperatures in the high 90s with
places like Lewiston, Wenatchee, Colville, Moses Lake, and deeper
Basin areas seeing triple digits. Keep an eye out as heat headlines
may be needed. /AS

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAFS: VFR conditions will continue through the TAF period.
Winds will be breezy on Thursday across the Inland Northwest
with gusts up to 20 knots. High level clouds will increase
near the end of the TAF period as a weather system approaches
from the south.

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

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

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        83  55  82  57  82  55 /   0   0  20  20  10   0
Coeur d`Alene  83  55  80  57  80  55 /   0   0  20  20  10   0
Pullman        80  52  75  51  79  51 /   0   0  40  30   0   0
Lewiston       90  63  82  62  88  60 /   0  10  50  50   0   0
Colville       83  47  84  49  81  48 /   0   0  20  20  20   0
Sandpoint      81  50  79  54  75  51 /   0   0  20  30  30  10
Kellogg        79  58  77  58  75  57 /   0   0  30  40  20   0
Moses Lake     88  55  85  58  87  56 /   0   0  20  20   0   0
Wenatchee      86  60  86  62  87  61 /   0   0  20  20   0   0
Omak           87  57  86  59  87  57 /   0   0  20  20  10   0

&&

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

&&

$$