Rathdrum, Idaho 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

162
FXUS66 KOTX 260659
AFDOTX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1159 PM PDT Fri Jul 25 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Temperatures warming into the 90s to 100s next week with
  widespread Moderate and localized Major HeatRisk Tuesday and
  Wednesday.

- 10-20 percent chance of thunderstorms Wednesday then 10-25
  percent chance Thursday and Friday.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Temperatures cool slightly over the weekend, then rebound into
early next week into the high 90s and low 100s. There are
increasing chances for afternoon and evening thunderstorms
by the middle to end of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Saturday through Monday: Temperatures will cool on Saturday to near
seasonal averages (low 80s to low 90s) in response to a weak upper-
level trough shifting south over British Columbia. Winds will be
lighter Saturday afternoon, but continued onshore flow will maintain
a cross-Cascade pressure gradient of +6-7 mb between SEA and EAT.
This will likely support breezy gap winds through the Cascades
during the late afternoon and evening hours. Efficient boundary
layer mixing will also contribute to afternoon breeziness across
eastern Washington and north Idaho.

Temperatures will rise slightly on Sunday and then warm a few more
degrees on Monday as an upper-level ridge over the central U.S.
begins to build westward into the Inland Northwest. Offshore
troughing and a quasi-stationary closed low in the Gulf of Alaska
will maintain a south-southwest flow aloft across the region. Model
guidance shows monsoonal moisture and instability gradually lifting
north Sunday through Tuesday, with hints of elevated convection
across far southeast Washington and the southern Idaho Panhandle.
The boundary layer is expected to remain dry initially, raising
concerns for dry lightning and gusty outflow winds with any storm
development. For now, the best chances for precipitation remain
south of our forecast area, but this will be monitored closely.
Tuesday through Friday:  Models are in good agreement that the upper-
level ridge will amplify northward into the Inland Northwest and
western Canada Tuesday into Wednesday, shifting the mid-level flow
more southerly. A low spread (1-3F) in ensemble high temperature
guidance gives high confidence for widespread highs in the 90s to
low 100s. Overnight lows in the 60s to 70s for many lowland areas
will result in Moderate to locally Major HeatRisk for Tuesday and
Wednesday. Spokane International Airport (GEG) has yet to hit 100F
in 2025, and this trend looks to continue with the NBM giving it a
5% chance of 100F on Wednesday.

By midweek, models show the Gulf of Alaska low drifting eastward
while the offshore California trough strengthens and lifts
northward. Persistent southerly flow will draw deeper moisture into
the region. Ensemble means show PWATs increasing to around 120% of
normal by Wednesday and over 150% by Thursday. This combination of
heat, moisture, and the approach of an upper-level disturbance
suggests a growing potential for thunderstorms from Wednesday
through Friday, possibly continuing into Saturday.

Boundary layer moisture on Wednesday appears marginal, favoring
isolated and potentially dry thunderstorms. By Thursday and Friday,
increased moisture and a more organized disturbance may support
wetter storms with broader coverage. Weak upper-level flow during
this period raises concern for slow-moving cells and localized heavy
rainfall. The NBM currently advertises a 10-20% chance of
thunderstorms on Wednesday, increasing to 10-25% for Thursday and
Friday. This evolving pattern will be closely monitored in the days
ahead. /vmt

&&

.AVIATION...
06Z TAFS: VFR conditions will continue through the TAF period
with increasing mid to high level clouds in the afternoon. Winds
will be relatively lighter compared to the last 2 days, with
wind gusts up to 20 knots between 16-03Z for
KGEG/KSFF/KCOE/KPUW/KLWS. Winds will be less than 10 knots for
central Washington in the afternoon with winds increasing after
00Z at KEAT.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
for VFR conditions.

&&

.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
Spokane        87  57  86  57  88  58 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Coeur d`Alene  86  57  85  57  87  58 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Pullman        83  53  83  52  85  55 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Lewiston       94  63  92  63  93  66 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Colville       86  47  84  49  86  49 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Sandpoint      84  53  83  53  85  53 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Kellogg        83  59  83  59  85  62 /   0   0   0   0   0  10
Moses Lake     91  55  88  55  90  58 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Wenatchee      87  60  87  62  90  65 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Omak           91  58  87  59  90  60 /   0   0   0   0   0   0

&&

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

&&

$$