351 
FXUS66 KOTX 061607
AFDOTX

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
807 AM PST Wed Mar 6 2013

.SYNOPSIS...
An upper level disturbance will bring rain and snow to the Inland
Northwest today and tonight. A few thunderstorms will be possible by
this afternoon over the Palouse and possibly around Spokane.
Thursday will be cool and showery. The threat of showers will
continue over the Idaho Panhandle into Friday. The weekend should
be dry with near average temperatures as high pressure builds over
the region.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Made a few updates to the forecast based on current radar trends
and the 12z models. A warm front is slowly lifting northward with
a swath of precipitation across the region. Snow levels near 1500
ft from Wenatchee to Omak is expected to gradually rise this
morning. Anticipate the current advisory to expire by 10am...based
on current obs and web cams. Did raise pops across northeast
Washington and north Idaho this morning and through the day with
light snow accumulations possible especially above 3k ft. A mix of
rain and snow has been reported around the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area
with the OTX sounding showing a wet bulb zero ht of 2400 ft...but
not expecting much in the way of accumulations except on grassy
surfaces this morning. Behind the front...instability will
increase across southeast Washington and adjacent portions of the
ID panhandle 850-500mb lapse rates above 8c/km and LIs to
zero...which may support development of isolated thunder...and
more than likely graupel. /rfox

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAFs: Some minor runway snow accumulation will be possible prior 
to 18z at Wenatchee. As of 4 AM, web cameras showed a wet tarmack. 
Precipitation intensity should increase between 13z-15z which may 
contribute to some temporary accumulations. A rain/snow mix is 
expected around Spokane and Coeur D'Alene this morning. The NAM and 
GFS prog enough surface based instability between 21z-02z for 
convective showers capable of grauple or small hail. A handful of 
lightning strikes and brief gusty outflow will also be possible 
around Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, Pullman and Lewiston. /GKoch



&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Spokane        45  32  43  29  46  28 /  80  70  40  20  20  10 
Coeur d'Alene  45  31  43  29  47  27 /  80  80  40  20  30  10 
Pullman        47  33  45  31  48  30 /  70  70  40  20  20  10 
Lewiston       54  37  51  35  53  34 /  50  60  30  20  20  10 
Colville       46  31  46  29  51  28 / 100  70  50  20  30  10 
Sandpoint      41  32  40  29  42  27 /  90  90  50  30  30  10 
Kellogg        43  31  39  29  44  28 /  90  90  60  30  40  10 
Moses Lake     48  34  48  29  52  30 /  80  40  20  10   0   0 
Wenatchee      45  32  45  30  52  32 /  90  30  20  10   0   0 
Omak           45  29  41  27  49  25 / 100  50  30  10  10   0 

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...None.
WA...Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST this morning for 
     Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Waterville Plateau-
     Wenatchee Area.

&&

$$