Snow returns to forecast for Saturday night

This stretch of dry winter weather, plagued mainly by persistent low clouds and fog, is coming to an end with an expected snowfall on Saturday night, forecasters said today. An earlier forecast of 1 to 2 inches has been reduced to a likelihood of an inch or less, according to National Weather Service forecasting. Most of the Inland Northwest is likely to see some snow from a modest system moving in from the Pacific Ocean on Saturday. Heavy snowfall is not expected, forecasters said. The greatest chance of snow is from 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. on Sunday. While snow could be a problem for drivers, the storm will also bring a bit of relief from the current round of cold weather. Temperatures should warm by several degrees with highs of 33 on Saturday and 34 on Sunday. Higher air pressure that has brought the calm weather and gloomy skies - with the exception of Thursday’s sunshine - is being weakened by an advancing low pressure area. The Saturday night snowfall could be followed by more snow as early as Monday morning when 1 to 2 inches of snow are expected. The latest forecast this afternoon speeds up the arrival of Monday’s snowfall. This second storm will have enough warm air wrapped into it to bring a chance of rain to lower elevations as early as Monday night. Some freezing rain is possible, especially in the western Columbia Basin, forecasters said. A high of 41 is expected on Tuesday with rain likely through Tuesday night. Forecasters said the storm is going to carry good amounts of moisture with it. A cold front on Wednesday should bring snow levels back down to 2,000 feet in elevation and kick up breezy winds.