Snowfall likely over next few days

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the Inland Northwest as a series of storm systems approach this week.

A slow-moving cold front is expected to creep into the region today, delivering an inch or two of snow, mainly across the Idaho Panhandle, according to the weather service. Today’s high in Spokane is expected to be near 40 degrees, with a nighttime low of 31. Southerly winds between nine and 15 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph, are also expected.

More snow is likely Monday night when another winter storm system is expected to bring light to moderate snowfall, mostly in the northeast corner of Washington and the Idaho Panhandle. Weather service forecasts predict Monday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 39 degrees and a low around 34. New snow accumulation of two to four inches is possible.

A third storm may affect the region Tuesday night through Thursday morning. The storm could be the strongest of the three and may produce widespread and heavy snow throughout the region. Brisk winds are also expected and may produce blizzardlike conditions, severely disrupting travel Wednesday.

Temperatures could plummet Friday and Saturday as bitter arctic air bleeds into the Inland Northwest, forecasts show. Temperatures may be 10 to 15 degrees below average, with nighttime lows dropping below zero. Friday’s forecast calls for clear skies and a high around 18 degrees, with a nighttime low of minus 1. Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 19 degrees.