FXUS66 KOTX 190005 AFDOTX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Spokane WA 505 PM PDT Thu Jul 18 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Strong high pressure will begin to amplify over the Inland Northwest during this period continuing our string of hot weather which began around July 5th. The heat will likely peak this weekend with widespread triple digit high temperatures and possible records. There are hints the heat will finally relent by the middle of next week. && .DISCUSSION... After further coordination with neighboring NWS offices, a Heat Advisory has been adjusted to end 11 AM Saturday, with an Excessive Heat Warning issued from 11 AM Saturday - 8 PM Monday. JW && .AVIATION... 00Z TAFS: The Inland NW expect VFR conditions to continue through the period. The only exception will be some hazy conditions from increasing smoke from the regional fires this afternoon/evening, including the Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan. The HRRR smoke model suggests this will drift N-NW late today and tonight and should remain out of the KEAT area. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: With the exception of smoke near wildfires confidence is high for continued VFR conditions. ----------------------- Confidence descriptors: Low - Less than a 30 percent chance Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance High - Greater than a 70 percent chance For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane airports, please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our webpage: https:/www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 304 PM PDT Thu Jul 18 2024/ Tonight through Sunday: The ridge is rebounding across the Pacific Northwest. It will bring another weekend of major to extreme heat across the Inland Northwest. Temperatures will gradually increase and peak on Sunday. Highs will generally be in the upper 90s and low triple digits. Overnight lows will bring little relief as they are expected to be in the upper 50s and 60s. Winds will generally be light and calm from a south to southwest direction. Ensembles are hinting at another shortwave sliding along the Cascade crest on Sunday. It will lead to an increase in winds down the Cascade Gaps and the Waterville Plateau for Sunday afternoon and evening. Winds will sustained into the teens and gusts near 30 MPH are possible. There are indicators of weak convection in the North Cascades. But being so small, there is little no confidence of any thunder activity in the area. Monday through Thursday: A Low over the Gulf will push a trough across the region and shift the ridge to the East and South finally breaking the very hot period for the Pacific Northwest. While precipitable waters are expected to increase in the region, ensembles are little to no precip expected for the Inland Northwest. Monday is expected to be last major day of heat as cooler begins to filter into the the region with the trough. Highs will drop to more seasonable temperatures with upper 80s and 90s expected. Overnight lows will be in the 50s. It is expected to be a gradual cooling and moistening of the region. Winds will continue to be breezy and slightly stronger. This could lead to potential fire weather concerns. /JDC && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 65 98 65 101 67 106 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coeur d'Alene 62 96 63 99 65 104 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pullman 59 93 60 97 62 102 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewiston 70 103 71 107 71 112 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Colville 55 97 54 100 56 104 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sandpoint 58 94 57 98 59 102 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kellogg 67 94 69 98 71 102 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moses Lake 62 100 61 103 66 109 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wenatchee 70 99 69 102 76 108 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Omak 67 103 65 105 68 110 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...Heat Advisory until 11 AM PDT Saturday for Central Panhandle Mountains-Coeur d'Alene Area-Idaho Palouse-Lewis and Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area-Northern Panhandle. Excessive Heat Warning from 11 AM Saturday to 8 PM PDT Monday for Central Panhandle Mountains-Coeur d'Alene Area-Idaho Palouse-Lewis and Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area- Northern Panhandle. WA...Heat Advisory until 11 AM PDT Saturday for Central Chelan County- Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake Area- Northeast Blue Mountains-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Spokane Area-Upper Columbia Basin- Washington Palouse-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee Area- Western Okanogan County. Excessive Heat Warning from 11 AM Saturday to 8 PM PDT Monday for Central Chelan County-Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake Area-Northeast Blue Mountains-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Spokane Area- Upper Columbia Basin-Washington Palouse-Waterville Plateau- Wenatchee Area-Western Okanogan County. Heat Advisory from 11 AM Saturday to 8 PM PDT Monday for Western Chelan County. && $$