Rain, heavy snow slow traffic

Heavy rain and snow on Sunday has blocked at least one highway in Washington and left other highways in North Idaho with standing water. Washington state Highway 27 near Oakesdale is blocked in at least three locations north and south of the town. In Idaho, several highways had standing water or icy slush, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. They included Idaho Highway 200 from U.S. Highway 95 to the Montana state line as well as U.S. Highway 2 east of Ponderay. Interstate 90 from Old Mission State Park to Wallace had water alongside the roadway. Old Highway 195 and Prairie View Road in Idaho had a large puddle, according to KHQ. Idaho Highway 41 north of Rathdrum also had water on the roadway on Sunday night. Up to two inches of rain fell in lower elevations of North Idaho on Sunday, while about a half an inch was measured at Spokane International Airport. As much as 15 inches of snow was reported at higher elevations in Idaho. Rain and snow melt were having a hard time soaking into the ground because of freezing conditions. Latah Creek in Spokane was flowing at 3,760 cubic feet per second, which was well above normal but not high enough for flooding. By comparison, the Spokane River was flowing at 2,300 cfs this morning at Spokane. National Weather Service forecasters are calling for another round of rain on Tuesday night with a snow level at 2,700 feet in elevation. Conditions should dry out later in the week. Partly sunny skies and a high near 42 are expected today. Breezy winds with gusts to abou 23 mph are likely in Spokane today.