Snow Possible At High Elevations

Once frost starts killing tomato plants in the region’s gardens, can the first snowfall be far behind?

It’s not.

The National Weather Service issued a forecast Tuesday for snow in the mountains of northeastern Washington and North Idaho.

A strong Pacific storm is expected to move ashore today and combine with cold air in place at higher elevations.

Snow is predicted starting this afternoon at levels as low as 4,000 feet. The snow level is expected to rise to 5,000 feet tonight.

Rain is forecast at lower elevations.

“This system has the potential to bring the first significant snowfall to the mountains,” according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said the snow could mean slippery driving on high mountain roads and could threaten hunters and backpackers in the high country.

Snow was reported in the high mountains of the Pasayten Wilderness in Okanogan County on Tuesday. Forecasters said they received reports that enough snow fell to allow some snowmobilers to get a jump-start on the season.

Frost has been reported this week in some valleys and other perennial cold spots. The low was 33 degrees at Spokane International Airport on Tuesday, following a 33-degree reading Monday morning.

The normal low for Oct. 7 is 38 degrees.

This week’s cold comes less than a week after Spokane recorded an Oct. 1 record high of 86 degrees.

, DataTimes