'Near perfect' weather expected over holiday weekend

COEUR d'ALENE — Hot diggity dog! Rain is not expected through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

"There may be some tiny storms moving over today and Friday, but most of the showers will be north of Coeur d'Alene," said Press Meteorologist Randy Mann.

"There will be a lot of clouds around, but it's not a bad Fourth forecast. Whatever falls (with precipitation) isn't going to be very much at all."

Laurie Nisbet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the forecast is "near perfect" if you like moderate temperatures without much of a chance for rain.

She said there's only about a 5 percent chance of showers in Coeur d'Alene today as the threat of rain is more likely to the north in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

The high in Coeur d'Alene today is expected to be 76, slightly below average, Nisbet said.

"You should see a mix of sun and clouds in the afternoon and clearing through the night," she said.

Nisbet said temperatures in the mid- to upper-60s are expected for the start of the parade this morning at 10 on Sherman Avenue.

Temperatures are expected to increase into the 80s starting on Wednesday, followed by highs in the upper 80s to low 90s in mid-July.

Fire chiefs in Kootenai County and the Idaho Department of Lands increased fire danger from moderate to high on Wednesday due to low moisture content in ground fuels.

The increase in fire danger closes burn permits for yard waste and burn barrels in addition to the already closed slash pile permits.

If you already have a permit to burn yard waste, it’s good until July 13 at 8 a.m.