Because temperatures exceed average by such a margin, all precipitation in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene region is expected to fall in the form of rain rather than snow.

Temperatures around Eastern Washington and North Idaho will remain well above-average – in some cases exceeding 10 to 15 degrees beyond normal – in the week leading up to the Christmas holiday.

A strong storm system will move in Monday night into Tuesday and is forecast to bring heavy rain and mountain snow to the Inland Northwest. Because temperatures exceed average by such a margin, all precipitation in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene region is expected to fall in the form of rain rather than snow. Cities above 3,500 feet, especially toward the Canadian border, will likely see major snow accumulations due to elevation.

Normally, afternoon high temperatures in mid-December would rest at 32 degrees. Through the weekend and to start this week, temperatures will exceed 40, and in some cases even 50 degrees in the afternoon. Tuesday's high temperature in Spokane is expected to reach 49 degrees, which is 17 degrees above the normal high temperature.

In addition, overnight lows are sitting above the freezing point in most cases which is also above the expected overnight low of 22 degrees. The change in temperatures for the week has caused most precipitation over the weekend and into this week to come in the form of valley and lowland rain, rather than snow. Spokane has only seen 8.5 inches of snow this 2018 winter season, which is 5.9 inches below the normal value of 14.4 inches. However, rainfall since October 1st has exceeded the normal value by about a tenth of an inch.