First snow of season could fall tonight

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the first snow of the season in lower elevations of the Inland Northwest tonight and Thursday morning. Snow could accumulate as low as 2,000 feet in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas. In Spokane, the 2,000-foot elevation contour runs along the lower portions of the North Hill and South Hill and crosses Spokane Valley near Argonne Road. Areas to the east are above that elevation with Coeur d’Alene at 2,200 feet. Cold air from the north is expected to mix with moisture off the Pacific in a cold front that should arrive during early-morning hours. Accumulations may be negligible, however. If snow falls, it will act more as a warning to residents to make sure they are prepared for winter. As for today, the weather should warm back to well above freezing by late this morning with highs topping out at a relatively mild 53 under mostly sunny skies. At 7 a.m., it was 26 at Spokane International Airport. Rain and snow showers are possible after daybreak on Thursday continuing into Thursday night. Then, the weather dries out again, but turns cooler with highs in the lower 40s and lows in the middle 20s. There is a 20 percent chance of rain or snow on Saturday and Saturday night.