POST FALLS - The heat is on - and it's about time.

For those who were fizzled over the Fourth with cool weather, the bright side is coming.

Temperatures in the lower 90s are expected by the end of the week, said climatologist Cliff Harris.

Better late than never, said Post Falls' Davis Jenson while watching his kids at Q'emiln Park on Tuesday.

"So this is what the sun looks like," said Jenson, tongue in cheek. "I was hoping that it would come out - and stay - before too long. Enough of this in-and-out stuff."

The boat launch on the Spokane River at Q'emiln finally opened on Tuesday as water volumes dropped enough to allow Avista to close the spill gates of its Post Falls Dam. The lifeguard-monitored beach is expected to open today.

"I don't see any significant rain for at least the next 10 days," Harris said. "Each day should get a little warmer this week."

Temperatures in the 90s are expected to arrive Thursday and last through the weekend.

"It looks dry and warm," Harris said.

The average opening date for the Q'emiln boat launch is June 22, but the date has occurred as late as July 8 in 2008 and as early as May 22 in 2005. Avista expects summer operation at the dam to continue through Labor Day as long as weather conditions allow.

Q'emiln joins Honeysuckle in Hayden and the city beach in Coeur d'Alene with offering lifeguards from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until late August, weather permitting. The Honeysuckle and Coeur d'Alene beaches have been open since June 12, weather permitting.

"The guards are excited to get to work," said Jill McDowell, Post Falls' recreation coordinator. "June is a wet month, so we need to accommodate for the weather we have."

Pets, alcohol and glass containers are not allowed on the beaches. All of the beaches offer concessions from private companies.

Honeysuckle Beach will open later than usual on July 31 due to the Hayden View Triathlon.