It could be a white Christmas, with more storms on the way

Wednesday’s quick-hitting snowstorm across the Inland Northwest likely will be followed by another winter storm set to strike as early as Thursday morning.

The Spokane area could see from 1 to 3 inches of new snow, starting after 10 a.m. A warm front from the Pacific is expected to bring a mix of snow, rain, sleet and freezing rain after midnight and into the morning hours on Friday.

The result could be a slippery mess for commuters on Friday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the potential for snow and ice accumulations that’s in effect through Friday afternoon.

A separate winter weather advisory was issued for the Palouse and other areas to the south and west of Spokane.

Forecasters said 4 to 5 inches of snow could accumulate in some of the lower elevations with 8 to 12 inches falling in the mountains where ski-area snowpacks are now gaining 2 to 4 feet of depth.

Coeur d’Alene may see 2 to 4 inches of snow.

Thursday’s highs in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene are expected to reach the upper 30s with the storm ending as just rain.

More snow is expected looking ahead to the middle of next week, raising the prospect of a white Christmas in the Inland Northwest. As many as five waves of snowfall could move over the region, with daytime highs in the 30s.

Sunday has the greatest likelihood of snow, but the exact timing of any additional accumulations was uncertain Wednesday afternoon, forecasters said.

Travelers should keep a close eye on the forecast as the time for departure approaches. Making a journey during daylight hours and between storms offers the best chances for safe passage.

On Wednesday, Inland Northwest residents awoke to about 3 inches of snow, leading to school closures, including the Pullman School District, and multiple accidents.

The Washington State Patrol said troopers responded to 48 crashes in Spokane and 101 total crashes in seven Eastern Washington counties between 4 a.m. and noon Wednesday. Spokane police reported 27 crashes Wednesday morning, including 11 involving some injuries, said police spokeswoman Officer Teresa Fuller.

A serious collision on U.S. Highway 395 a mile south of Deer Park blocked traffic in both directions for about two hours Wednesday morning, state troopers said. Three cars were involved, and Northwest MedStar was called to the scene to airlift Hanna M. O’Neill, 23, of Clayton.

WSP Trooper Jeff Sevigney said O’Neill had two broken legs.

Troopers said O’Neill was buckled up and headed north when two southbound vehicles collided near the intersection at Short Road after one of the southbound drivers braked for yet another driver who made an unsafe turn. One of the southbound vehicles was pushed into the path of O’Neill’s car.

No other injuries were reported.

The slippery conditions Wednesday were aggravated by the fact that during the start of the snowfall around midnight, the precipitation was melting on paved surfaces, creating an icy layer underneath the accumulating snow that came later.

The National Weather Service said up to 6 or 7 inches of snow fell along a swath of the Palouse, including portions of North Idaho.

The official reading at Spokane International Airport was 3.3 inches of snow.

Cold air filtering southward behind the snowstorm triggered the opening Thursday night of of the overnight warming center for homeless at the Salvation Army, 222 E. Indiana Ave., city officials said.