Chance of snow by morning

High clouds and precipitation moving northward from Oregon this evening could bring a light layer of snow to the Spokane area by morning, forecasters said. Snowfall amounts of less than an inch are expected through Friday in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. However, 3 to 6 inches of snow could cover the upper elevations of the central Idaho Panhandle mountains. Mountain snowfall of 1 to 2 inches are expected in other high elevation areas of the region. Precipitation is expected to start out as rain tonight with snow levels at 3,000 feet, but as the atmosphere cools toward morning, a layer of light snow could appear by dawn at 2,000 feet and above. Forecasters said downtown Spokane, at 1,900 feet, should see mostly light rain. Snow levels are expected to rise again to 3,000 feet during the day Friday. The chance of precipitation tonight through Friday was set at 60 to 80 percent with lows tonight in the lower-30s and highs Friday in the mid- to upper-30s. On Saturday, the area could see fog early and late in the day with highs in the 30s. Lows over the weekend are forecast in the 20s. A small chance of rain or snow returns Sunday.