FXUS66 KOTX 192352 AFDOTX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Spokane WA 352 PM PST Wed Feb 19 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Warmer temperatures and rain arrive late in the week into next weekend as high temperatures warm into the 40s. This will result in melting snow across the lower elevations. Rain and snowmelt expected to lead to local hydro issues for low lying and poor drainage areas. && .DISCUSSION... Today and tomorrow: As expected, road temperatures have limited snow accumulations in the Spokane/Cda area. As the DGZ dries out in the next couple hours, there may be some patchy drizzle this evening. Snow showers will be limited to 3500+ feet in the Idaho Panhandle and the near the Cascade crest this evening and through tomorrow. Models indicate low clouds will stick around tonight keeping temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. High temperatures tomorrow will not budge much (mid-upper 30s) with persistent low cloud cover despite an upper level ridge building. db Friday to Tuesday: The Inland NW will shift to warmer, wetter conditions as a ridge moves in. An active weather pattern from the Gulf of Alaska will bring a southwest flow, with several systems passing through. A weak front is expected Friday night, but confidence in measurable precipitation is low, with most models showing it over the mountains. Some models suggest light rain could reach as far as Spokane, but totals are expected to be minimal. The most significant period will be Saturday night through Sunday, when a moderate to strong atmpsheric river impacts the region. Ensembles are showing increased moisture, leading to widespread precipitation. Lowland rain and mountain snow are expected, with snow more likely in areas like the Methow Valley. Following the snow from the last week, rapid snowmelt may cause flooding in areas such as Spokane County and the Palouse. Prepare for this change in weather by cleaning your gutters and storm drains to help reduce flooding impacts. Actice weather will continue into early next week, with another system expected Monday or Tuesday, with models differing in the timing of its arrival. High temperatures will warm to above normal, ranging from 5 to 10 degrees above normal by Sunday. /KK && .AVIATION... 00Z TAFS: Snow will wind down for around 2z for KGEG-KSFF and 4z for KCOE. Rain will wind down around 3-4z for KPUW and KLWS. Moist west-southwest boundary layer flow will promote very low stratus to persist through much of the period (especially KGEG-KSFF-KCOE). Models indicate KPUW has the potential to clear out around 20z Thursday, but have left a broken MVFR stratus deck. Moses lake has greater confidence to clear out around 23z. KEAT shows top down drying and staying VFR. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence in very low cigs after the snow ends tonight. ----------------------- Confidence descriptors: Low - Less than a 30 percent chance Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance High - Greater than a 70 percent chance && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 32 36 26 39 34 41 / 80 10 0 10 40 50 Coeur d'Alene 31 34 27 40 33 42 / 90 20 10 10 40 50 Pullman 31 36 25 36 33 39 / 90 20 0 0 30 40 Lewiston 32 40 25 41 35 44 / 80 10 0 0 20 30 Colville 27 37 28 38 31 40 / 60 10 10 30 60 60 Sandpoint 29 36 28 38 33 40 / 90 40 20 30 60 80 Kellogg 31 35 27 40 35 42 / 100 60 10 10 40 60 Moses Lake 27 39 28 40 30 43 / 10 0 0 10 20 40 Wenatchee 28 37 29 37 32 39 / 10 0 0 10 20 50 Omak 27 38 29 37 31 40 / 20 0 0 30 30 60 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 AM PST Thursday for Central Panhandle Mountains. WA...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 AM PST Thursday for Western Chelan County. && $$