After respite, winter weather may return midweek; drivers encouraged to use caution
With the bulk of the weekend snow behind it, the Inland Northwest will get a small breather from winter weather in the next few days. At least until the wet stuff returns midweek.
The National Weather Service in Spokane is predicting that snowfall in the region will taper off Sunday afternoon before stopping altogether in the evening. Monday morning will be cold, but precipitation should be low. More snow is expected to fall by midweek.
“We’ll be dry on Monday,” said weather service meteorologist Steven VanHorn. “But we’re going to be getting colder.”
The weather service predicts roads could be slick and icy if moisture remains overnight. They recommend early morning commuters drive with caution.
Temperatures will drop Monday, with highs of 30 to 32. VanHorn said it could be even colder Monday night, with an average temperature in the upper teens.
Over the weekend, the region experienced anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of snowfall, with some areas getting up to 9 inches. In Spokane, the South Hill saw the most snow with 4.5 inches.
In Idaho, Coeur d’Alene experienced about 4 inches. Boundary County saw the worst of the early snow season, with about 9 inches in Naples.
Roadways remained mostly wet and slushy, including county roads.
Interstate 90 on Snoqualmie Pass was closed for several hours Sunday while emergency crews worked to clear up multiple slide-offs and vehicle collisions. It had opened in both directions by midafternoon.
Snow is likely to return Wednesday, VanHorn said, but similar to this weekend, it won’t stick around on roadways.
“That one is going to be a bit warmer with milder temperatures,” he said. “Not much snow around Spokane with that one.”