440
FXUS66 KOTX 222214
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
214 PM PST Wed Jan 22 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Thursday will be dry and cold, with a weak system passing through
Thursday Night. This system has the potential to produce light
snow mainly over SE Washington into the Central Panhandle
Mountains, otherwise the dry weather pattern will continue.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Tonight through Wednesday: Dry conditions will persist through much
of tomorrow, but snow showers are expected to increase in the
Cascades and Idaho Panhandle Thursday afternoon and evening as a
trough moves through. There is a 10% chance of an inch of snow at
Stevens Pass and a 15% chance at Lookout Pass, with Thursday evening
being the likely time for snowfall. As northerly winds develop
Friday morning, wind gusts of 25 mph or more are possible in the
Okanogan Valley.

Saturday through Tuesday: An upper-level ridge will push into
northern BC and gradually weaken, bringing dry weather to the Inland
Northwest. A small chance of precipitation exists, mainly near the
north Cascades, but it is unlikely to bring any significant amounts.
The air mass behind Friday`s cold front will be very dry, leading to
chilly nights, especially in areas with snow cover and light winds.
The Methow Valley is expected to experience the coldest
temperatures, with a 10% chance of reaching 0 degrees or colder in
Winthrop and over 30% in Mazama. Beyond Tuesday, there is a
potential for wetter weather, with a 20% chance of light precipition
by Wednesday, riding to 50% by Thursday.

Temperature through the forecast period generally consists of highs
in the 30s, with the warmest in the Columbia Basin and LC Valley.
The overnight lows will vary a bit, with teens north of I-90 and 20s
below I-90. The Cascade valleys could drop into the 0 degree mark or
colder. Temperatures to depend on the current snow on the ground
and/or cloud cover. /KK

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFS: The TAFs advertise light winds and mainly clear skies
as the Inland Northwest remains under cold and dry high pressure.
Patchy fog has developed in western valleys due to cold air
collecting. In particular, KCOE`s visibility has dropped to a
quarter mile and right now is projected to stay that way through
20Z. There is fog developing near KGEG- KSFF, but airport
visibility hasn`t degraded.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: KCOE`s visibility
may last longer than 20Z, and KGEG-KSFF visibilities could drop if
fog reaches the airports.


-----------------------

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        18  32  19  30  15  29 /   0   0  10   0   0   0
Coeur d`Alene  15  33  18  31  13  31 /   0   0  20  10   0   0
Pullman        21  35  22  30  18  31 /   0   0  10  20   0   0
Lewiston       23  40  27  37  22  36 /   0   0  10  20   0   0
Colville       14  28  13  30  10  29 /   0   0  10   0   0   0
Sandpoint      18  30  19  30  15  29 /   0   0  20  10   0   0
Kellogg        18  35  20  29  13  29 /   0   0  20  30   0   0
Moses Lake     21  32  24  37  21  36 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Wenatchee      23  33  25  37  21  34 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Omak           17  30  19  35  16  32 /   0   0   0   0   0   0

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...None.
WA...None.
&&

$$