Inland NW weather turns colder, then snowy

A cold front moving into the Inland Northwest today is going to send temperatures downward and set the stage for snow on Friday. Highs today should reach the middle 30s across the urban valley areas from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene and drop to around 30 for a high on Thursday. Lows will be near 20. Spokane has a 30 percent chance of rain or snow today. Coeur d’Alene, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation today, could see enough snow to cover the ground, but accumulations are expected to be light through tonight. Some rain is also possible during the arrival of the cold front. Thursday brings a break between weather systems with mostly sunny skies and highs near 30. Friday brings a better chance of snow. Spokane and Coeur d’Alene could see an inch or slightly more. To the southeast, forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of snow starting on Friday across the Palouse region, central Idaho Panhandle and Blue Mountains region. The snow will have moved away from the Spokane region by Saturday when a high of 32 is expected. Cheney should also see a high of 32 for the Eastern Washington University football playoff game. To the west, a dense fog advisory is in effect today for the Columbia Basin.