The Inland Northwest remains in a northwesterly flow descending a large high pressure ridge off the Pacific Coast. A very weak shortwave weather system will pass through the region today bringing windy conditions and partly mostly cloudy skies. North central Washington weather today will be partly cloudy in the afternoon and mild with high temperatures in the mid 40s. A more noticeable impact of the shortwave passage will be gusty winds near the Cascade Plateau and from Waterville and the Upper Columbia Basin to the east. Gusts of 15-25 mph are expected, with locally higher gusts near 30-40 mph.

Mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures on tap for Friday with afternoon highs tomorrow in the upper 40s.

Fairly calm weather for Saturday and Sunday also with mostly cloudy and windy conditions Saturday, highs in the mid 40s. Partly cloudy skies and seasonal temperatures Sunday with highs in the lower 40s.

It looks like winter will return on President’s Day Monday as strengthening high pressure in the Gulf of Alaska will favor a trough over the western portion of the United States. An arctic cold front crosses the region early Monday, bringing mostly cloudy skies, a 20% chance of snow and much cooler temperatures with highs in the mid-30s.

Cold air will spread later Tuesday with most places unlikely to warm above freezing. Our Tuesday forecast will be sunny and abnormally cool with afternoon highs around 30 degrees.

Mostly sunny Wednesday and continuing cool with afternoon high temperatures in the low to mid 30s.