Snow, arctic cold expected this weekend

Snow by Friday and arctic cold by Sunday are forecast by the National Weather Service in Spokane. Highs in the region on Sunday might only reach the mid- to upper teens, with lows around 5 degrees. Forecasters said the cold air will be ushered into the region by a storm system that is likely to bring significant snowfall Friday night and Saturday, especially to the mountains, where ski resorts are waiting for enough snow to open. In Spokane, it could mean 4 to 8 inches on the ground, officials said. Blowing and drifting snow could be a problem when arctic air moves southward over the weekend. The wind-chill effect will likely make the temperature feel as if it were below zero. As for today, there’s a chance of rain and snow after 10 a.m., but little or no snow accumulation is expected, the weather service said. Temperatures will hover in the 30s throughout the day and evening. The weather service has issued a hazardous weather outlook to caution drivers of slick conditions through tonight, and warn of the snow and cold weather to come. A chance of rain or freezing rain is forecast for Wednesday morning before 10 a.m., the weather service said.