Cold rain, wet snow dampen Inland Northwest again

Cold rain and wet snow have enveloped the Inland Northwest this morning, and it will lead to breezy conditions by later today. Rain started falling earlier this morning in Spokane and then changed to snow before 8 a.m. Later today, wind gusts from the southwest could reach 21 mph in Spokane where a high of 47 is expected. Coeur d’Alene may only reach 45 with wind gusts to 18 mph. Snow is expected at higher elevations with a chance of accumulations possible in mountain valley areas. Snow was mixed with rain in parts of Spokane earlier in the morning while Spokane International Airport reported light snow and 33 degrees at 7 a.m. Forecasters said the band of snow showers had moved east by 10 a.m., and would be replaced by intermittent showers later today. A low pressure system over Puget Sound was circulating cold air out of the north this morning and was interacting with a moist southwest flow out of Oregon, creating the wet, even snowy conditions. Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 was bare and wet with snow falling, but not sticking. Lookout Pass in Idaho had some packed snow in spots with light snow falling. Forecasters said that improving weather is likely on Friday and Saturday with highs in Spokane of 52 on Friday and 59 on Saturday. Coeur d’Alene will be slower to warm up with highs a few degrees colder. Easter Sunday may see another storm system in this most showery of Aprils. The moist, unsettled weather continues next week, according to the National Weather Service. At 7 a.m., it was 39 at Felts Field, but the temperature fell to 34 by 8 a.m. as the snow arrived.