581 FXUS66 KOTX 160445 AFDOTX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Spokane WA 945 PM PDT Sat Oct 15 2022 .SYNOPSIS.... Unseasonably warm and dry conditions will continue over the weekend. Expect northeast winds Sunday across north Idaho stretching into the Columbia Basin. Elsewhere, light winds are forecast into early next week. The ridge is expected to persist through most of the week, with signs of a breakdown by Friday into next weekend. Rain and high elevation snow chances increase by late next week. && .DISCUSSION... Tonight and Sunday: Rex blocking will continue tonight and tomorrow. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s to 70s (Maximum temps about 10-20 degrees above normal), and no precipitation is forecast. A tightening east to west pressure gradient has brought breezy conditions earlier today which will gradually wane into Sunday. The most notable winds will be found over the Columbia Basin and will be funneled through Purcell Trench from Sandpoint to Coeur d'Alene and secondarily down the Okanogan Valley. Areas of frost/light freeze are possible especially across sheltered valleys of NE Washington and N Idaho Sunday night. /Butler Monday through Thursday: High pressure will continue to dominate the PacNW with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, light winds and little to no clouds. Overnight lows will continue to be right around normal for this this time of year. BIG changes arrive Friday that will make fall/winter lovers happy. Confidence is increasing that a deep trough will dig into the region bringing the first inkling of cooler fall weather. Winds will increase as the front pushes through with breezy winds in excess of 35 mph with these winds continuing into Saturday. High temperatures on Friday will cool to the low to mid 60s, cooling yet again on Saturday into the 50s. Much needed rain will also move into the area behind the front with the most significant amounts over the mountains. This system will also bring the first chance of snow to the mountains with snow levels dropping in the overnight hours. Specific details of this system are still a bit uncertain nearly a week out so we will continue to monitor. /KM && .AVIATION... 06Z TAFS: High pressure will continue with primarily dry and VFR conditions. An exception will remain in the vicinity of any wildfires or burning which could bring some smoke/haze around some sites. Smoke potentially would lower morning visibilty if locally heavy enough but thin in afternoon airmass mixing. A moderate offshore surface pressure gradient will continue general east and northeast wind stronger in the Central Basin and Palouse mainly in the morning hours. Diurnal winds will in sheltered valleys of mountainous terrain can otherwise be expected for wind into Sunday evening. TC && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 45 74 42 75 42 73 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coeur d'Alene 45 73 41 73 41 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pullman 43 73 40 74 40 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewiston 48 76 45 76 45 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Colville 37 75 33 75 33 75 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sandpoint 44 69 37 70 37 68 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kellogg 49 73 47 74 48 73 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moses Lake 45 76 40 75 39 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wenatchee 52 75 47 75 48 75 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Omak 47 75 44 76 45 76 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...None. WA...None. && $$