Plows making quick work of overnight snow

Plow trucks and deicers were quickly clearing snow from arterials and highways today after 1 to 5 inches of snow fell across the region Sunday night. Most major thoroughfares were in good condition by late morning. However, Interstate 90 near Spokane International Airport was foggy and the air temperature was below freezing as of late this morning. Travel lanes showed some snow. The city of Spokane reported that the heaviest accumulations were on the far North Side and the upper South Hill. Streets closer to downtown were showing a mix of slush and wet pavement. Streets were bare and wet for last-minute shoppers at Northtown Shopping Center, Division Street and Wellesley Avenue. National Weather Service forecasters said the makings of a white Christmas are in place. Temperatures later today should drop below freezing with an overnight low of 19. Any snow, slush or water could freeze solid as early as 5 p.m. when the temperature is expected to be 26. That’s because colder air is moving into the region behind Sunday night’s storm. However, some sun is peeking through a layer of low elevation stratus clouds today. Christmas Day should be mostly cloudy with a high of 32. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow are expected on Christmas night. Around the region, snowfall amounts were variable. Post Falls had 2 inches. Moscow had 4 inches. Near Airway Heights, weather observers reported 4 and 5 inches at two locations. Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 was bare and wet. U.S. Highway 2 from Leavenworth to Stevens Pass remained closed for the third day after heavy snow brought down trees, causing two deaths and several injuries starting on Friday. Lookout Pass on I-90 in Idaho had slush. Fourth of July Summit had icy patches.