Washington weather is bringing a burst of early summer warmth across Spokane this afternoon as bright sunshine spreads over the Inland Northwest. Dry pavement and calm skies greeted drivers along Interstate 90 late this morning while temperatures quickly climbed through the 70s. The warm stretch peaks around Memorial Day before a cooler and more unsettled pattern develops across eastern Washington.
According to the National Weather Service, Spokane reaches near 80 degrees today with southwest winds gusting as high as 22 mph this afternoon. Memorial Day turns even warmer with highs climbing near 84 degrees under increasing clouds. That warmer air mass begins breaking down Monday night as Pacific moisture pushes inland from the west.
Rain chances increase late Monday night into Tuesday morning, with isolated thunderstorms possible across Spokane, Cheney and nearby portions of northern Idaho. Gusts may approach 28 mph during stronger showers while temperatures tumble from the mid-80s Monday into the mid-60s Tuesday afternoon. Additional scattered showers could redevelop Wednesday before drier weather returns later in the week.
Drivers along Interstate 90 and Highway 2 should prepare for changing road conditions beginning late Monday night. Wet pavement and gusty crosswinds may briefly reduce visibility during heavier showers, especially near open terrain west of Spokane. To be fair, widespread severe weather is not expected, though isolated lightning and small hail cannot be ruled out during stronger storm cells.
The broader Pacific Northwest turns more active through midweek as a Pacific low pressure system ends the recent stretch of unusually warm weather. Colder mountain air could even allow rain to mix with snow in the highest Cascade elevations farther west Tuesday into Wednesday. Meanwhile, eastern Washington likely rebounds toward warmer and drier conditions by late week.
Five Day Outlook for Spokane, Washington
- Memorial Day: Increasing clouds and warm. High near 84.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny with cooler temperatures. High near 65.
- Wednesday: Chance of showers early, then partial sunshine. High near 74.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer again. High near 82.
- Friday: Chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 75.
