Light snow stops falling; traffic moving

The light snow that fell over the Inland Northwest this morning did not cause trouble for the morning commute. Traffic was flowing freely on major roadways, including Interstate 90 through Spokane, without accidents. Snow had stopped by 9 a.m. in Spokane. Radar images showed the band of snowfall moving south toward the Palouse and central Idaho Panhandle. National Weather Service forecasters apparently were on target with their call of less than an inch of snow this morning in the Spokane area. As much as two to three inches of snow was possible near the mountains of North Idaho, forecasters said. Some snow was reported over Snoqualmie and Stevens passes in Washington this morning. Light snow was also along I-90 over Fourth of July and Lookout passes. The high today is expected to reach 31 with a low tonight in the middle 20s. The arrival of snow and accompanying light winds may result in formation of a stubborn stratus cloud deck by Friday. A chance of sun returns on Saturday with flurries on Sunday. Temperatures will continue in the same range between the 20s and low 30s. At 7 a.m., light snow and fog were reported at Spokane International Airport and a temperature of 26. Light snow was also reported in Deer Park and Pullman. An air stagnation advisory remained in effect over Eastern Washington and North Idaho through noon today. A stage 1 burn ban was still in effect in Spokane, which limits wood heating to only certified stoves and inserts. The air quality index was at 50, which is on the line between good and moderately polluted air. Ventilation in parts of Eastern Washington were not expected to improve much with today’s weather change. The Washington Department of Ecology extended its stage 1 burning bans in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Kittitas, Ferry, Stevens, and Walla Walla counties until Tuesday at 10 a.m.