Storms could bring wind, fire
A group enjoys a cool game of volleyball on Killarney Lake on July 20. More sunny weather with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s are predicted this weekend. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch at 2:44 p.m. Thursday for the North Idaho Panhandle. Thunderstorms are possible this morning. They’re likely to be followed by breezy winds this afternoon and evening as part of a low-pressure system that’s moving in the area from Eastern Washington.
The thunderstorms are not expected to contain much rainfall — or any — which makes it unlikely that North Idaho will catch up with its usual level of precipitation. So far this year, Coeur d’Alene has received 13.79 inches, or nearly an inch less than the average of 14.64 inches and a little more than half of the highest amount on record, 25.59 inches in 1948. The lowest recorded precipitation is 8.66 inches, in 1924.
Relatively dry conditions means that lightning could spark wildfires, which could spread rapidly during this afternoon’s breezy conditions.
The weekend forecast calls for clear skies, a high near 89 degrees and south winds of 3 to 6 miles per hour today. Saturday is expected to stay sunny with a high near 87 degrees and southwest winds of 3 to 5 miles per hour. Sunday is expected to be hot, with a high near 91 degrees. No wind is forecast.
— Julia Bennett