Spokane7
49°
December 28, 2010 in City, Idaho
Winter storm warning hoisted over region
Blizzard warning posted for Palouse; gusts to 43 mph Wednesday
The National Weather Service this morning has issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow over far Eastern Washington and North Idaho starting tonight through the daylight hours on Wednesday.
In addition, a blizzard warning was posted for the Washington and Idaho Palouse where wind gusts to 43 mph could whip the snow into drifts and reduce visibility.
As much as 10 to 12 inches of snow could fall in some locations with amounts of 6 to 9 inches considered very likely over the region.
The winter storm warning begins this evening and will continue through 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Already, rain was reported in Walla Walla this afternoon and mixed snow and rain in Pullman as the storm migrates in from the southwest after reaching the Oregon coast this afternoon.
The snow is expected to fall from the approach of a low pressure system moving northeast from the Oregon coast and deepening as it tracks inland. That should draw a band of relatively warm, moisture-laden air into the atmosphere above the region. At the same time, the deepening low will draw cold northerly air into its cyclonic circulation closer to the ground to produce snow-making conditions.
As the low passes through the region, it will open the door initially to gusty west winds to 22 mph changing to a bitter northerly wind of up to 10 mph by Wednesday night. The wind could prove troublesome by causing visibility and drifting problems in exposed areas.
The Palouse could see the stronger westerly wind gusts above 40 mph.
Temperatures will drop on Wednesday night into the teens and Thursday with the invasion of arctic air and will likely fall to near or below zero readings by Friday morning. The cold remains in place through the holiday weekend, forecasters said.
On the upside, skies are likely to be sunny on Friday with highs in the teens and mostly sunny on Saturday with a high of 20.
Snow that was forecast over the region this morning did not materialize at lower elevations of Spokane, although some snow fell at higher elevations near Spokane International Airport.
Coeur d’Alene had up to 2 inches of very heavy snow. Snow was also reported in southeast Washington.
On Monday night, drivers on Interstate 90 were slowed by near whiteout conditions caused by heavy snow northeast of Ritzville about 9 p.m. Rain was reported in Spokane about the same time.
At 3 p.m., temperatures were relatively mild with 40 at Spokane airport, 43 at Felts Field, 39 at Coeur d’Alene, 37 in Deer Park and 36 in Pullman.
Returning farmland to a state of nature 
Loudin on December 28 at 2:52 p.m.
I just don’t get these forecasts of late. Yesterday the local-yocal TV forecasters all predicted snow for the today’s commute and throughout the morning. What did we get? Nothing…not even real rain. Now tonight and into tomorrow they’re forecasting (including TWC) 5”-9” of snow…yet the low-temp is predicted to be 34F. How are we supposed to experience 8-12 hours of snow fall if the lowest temperature during that span is above freezing? Looking at the overnight forecast lows by hour, most of the night will see above 35F…thus, more rain than snow.
I know we all dislike the “STORM TRACKER” attitude that crops up every time the possibility of snow is apparent, but it almost seems like they’re overplaying the issue just to cover themselves in case something does happen. That’s not forecasting…
Oh well, my rant is over. Guess I’ll go shovel some puddles…
Loudin
lewis8457 on December 28 at 8:50 p.m.
Yes where is all the snow we are supposed to get, i got my sled out for nuthin