026 FXUS66 KOTX 162152 AFDOTX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Spokane WA 252 PM PDT Sun Oct 16 2022 .SYNOPSIS.... Unseasonably warm and dry conditions will continue through a large chunk of the upcoming week. Some breezy conditions linger over the portions of north Idaho and the Columbia Basin today. The ridge is forecast to breakdown Friday into next weekend. Rain and high elevation snow chances increase by late next week, with temperatures cooling to values closer to or slightly below normal by next weekend. && .DISCUSSION... Sunday and Monday: Rex blocking will continue today and start to break down tomorrow temporarily. The upper level low over AZ is weakening and shifting eastward. Another low hot on its heels will revive the Rex blocking pattern before BIG changes later this week. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s to 70s...for now...(Maximum temps about 10-20 degrees above normal), and no precipitation is forecasted. Areas of frost/light freeze are possible especially across sheltered valleys of NE Washington and N Idaho tonight and Monday night. /Butler Tuesday through Thursday: We're beginning to sound like a broken record. High pressure will continue. Temps 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Light winds. Little to no clouds. Haze. Basically continuing with the same weather we've seen for the last several weeks. Friday through the weekend: Confidence is continuing to increase with the ridge breakdown allowing for fall to finally arrive. A deep trough will dig into the region, dropping temperatures to near normal through Saturday and below normal on Sunday. Winds will increase Friday gusting to 35 mph with this system, continuing into Saturday as the low moves over the PacNW. High temps Friday will be in the 60s, with 50s on Saturday and upper 40s to low 50s by Sunday. Pretty big change to the 1 to 15 degrees above normal we've been experiencing. Precipitation will move into the area Friday evening with the best chance for widespread precip Friday night. Snow levels will drop as low as 3,000 by Sunday morning meaning the mountains could see their first snow of the year. Specific details of this system are still a bit uncertain so we will continue to monitor. /KM && .AVIATION... 18Z TAFS: High pressure will dominate the weather with dry and primarily VFR conditions. Smoke/haze from regional wildfires and burns will continue to provide some reductions in visibility especially closer to the Cascades and northern airports. /Butler && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 44 73 43 74 41 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coeur d'Alene 44 74 45 73 41 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pullman 43 74 43 73 40 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewiston 48 76 46 75 46 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Colville 37 75 37 76 33 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sandpoint 42 70 41 70 37 68 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kellogg 51 74 48 74 48 72 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moses Lake 42 75 41 76 38 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wenatchee 51 76 47 75 50 75 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Omak 47 75 45 77 45 76 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...None. WA...None. && $$