Wintry weekend lies ahead
Rush of cold hits region but calmer winds today
Gusty winds were expected today, part of a wind advisory issued Friday by the National Weather Service.
The weather service predicted wind gusts Friday evening approaching 40 to 50 mph.
Winds should ease off a bit today, with gusts of 29 mph through this afternoon.
The advisory continues through 4 p.m. today and covers the southern two-thirds of Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
The wind arrived in the wake of a cold front that brought moderate to heavy precipitation across the region. Snow was accumulating at higher elevations Friday.
Heavy snow fell at Lookout Pass on Interstate 90 in Idaho. Snow was also reported at Fourth of July Summit in Idaho.
Spokane International Airport reported 0.2 inches of precipitation through 4 p.m. Friday.
A winter storm warning remains in effect today for the mountain regions of northeast Washington, North Idaho and the Blue Mountains in southeast Washington.
Light snow Friday made for a slippery morning commute, with accidents littering Interstate 90 and Highway 2. Coeur d’Alene police also reported a half-dozen crashes during the day.