Spokane still – Tuesday’s rainfall offered some relief, but Spokane is still well below normal for this time of year. With temperatures near 90 Thursday and thunderstorms possible, residents are watching whether a late-day storm can finally close the gap.
Rain fell on Tuesday, and for a brief moment Spokane’s dry spring loosened its grip. But even after that storm, the numbers still don’t match the season.
Spokane is still below its average rainfall for this time of year, and parts of Spokane County remain in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Spokane International Airport measured 0.43 inches of precipitation Tuesday, bringing the total for May to 0.74 inches.
National Weather Service meteorologist Daniel Butler put it plainly: “We need 1.55 inches to be normal, and we’re only at 0.74 at this point.” He said the area is still “less than half of what’s normal.”
Thursday is where the uncertainty turns sharp. Butler said downtown Spokane will most likely reach 90, while areas near the airport are expected to touch the high 80s. And while the day looks like it will start hot, thunderstorms are predicted for Thursday late afternoon and evening.
The forecast calls for new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Butler warned that the storm may not line up cleanly with the region: “It could miss us entirely.” But there’s a reason people are paying close attention anyway. “But if hits us that could tip us over the edge to get to normal.”.
If Thursday doesn’t deliver, there is still a slim window after that. There’s a slight chance of showers Friday and Saturday, with temperatures cooling to a high of 77 on Friday, 67 on Saturday, and 69 on Sunday.
The week’s story is still the same one Spokane residents can feel in the air: Tuesday’s rain helped. but the drought doesn’t disappear with one storm. Now the question is whether Thursday’s thunderstorms can deliver enough rain to change the totals—or whether the region will remain stuck watching clouds move past without making much difference.
Spokane rainfall U.S. Drought Monitor moderate drought Spokane International Airport National Weather Service Daniel Butler thunderstorms Thursday drought conditions
So like… it rained Tuesday for a minute and now we’re cooked again? Love that for us.
If it hits 90 Thursday that means it’ll definitely rain right? Idk how weather works but I feel like thunderstorms are “guaranteed” when it’s that hot.
Wait they said 0.74 inches for May?? That seems like not even real rain. Also the quote about “miss us entirely” sounds like they already gave up lol. Hope the late-day storm actually lands because drought map says moderate but it feels worse.
This is the problem with living in Spokane, it’s either smoky hot or dry. Everyone keeps talking about 1.55 inches like it’s a magic number, but I’ve seen storms that dump and then nothing changes anyway. Can confirm the clouds just move around us every time.