Drivers Slip And Slide On Icy Roads

A fresh coat of snow and ice made driving tricky Saturday, contributing to about 30 accidents in Kootenai County, state troopers and deputies said.

Most of the collisions weren’t serious.

“Slow down,” advised Washington State Patrol dispatcher Jeff Lopez. “That’s the most important thing. Give yourself plenty of room. If you don’t have to drive … now might be a good time to stay home.”

In Kootenai County, a Sheriff’s Department dispatcher said the number of accidents was normal for a snowy day.

In the five northern counties of the Idaho Panhandle, the Idaho State Police reported 11 accidents, some with minor injuries. The ISP said 15 tractor-trailers lost control on icy White Bird Hill on Highway 95 south of Grangeville.

The snowy weather is here to stay - at least until Monday. Expect 1 to 3 inches of snow to fall today, said meteorologist Lyle Hammer of the National Weather Service.

At lower elevations - below 3,000 feet - snow should be mixed with rain. Temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-20s to lower 30s.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Regional and Spokane editions.