More snow, frigid temperatures on the way

The Spokane area saw its first significant snowfall of the season overnight, with about 4 inches of new snow hitting the ground by Saturday morning.

“It’s pretty similar across the area,” said Andrew Kalin, Spokane National Weather Service forecaster.

The snow left unplowed streets a slippery mess. The number of reported accidents Saturday morning was low, likely because few people were commuting to work.

City spokesman Brian Coddington said the city had nearly a dozen plows out Saturday focusing on arterials, hills, the hospital district and emergency routes. There are no current plans to plow residential streets, he said.

The snow was expected to start falling again Saturday evening and to continue off and on until Monday morning, Kalin said. Spokane should see another 2 to 3 inches during the weekend, while Coeur d’Alene and other areas of North Idaho could see between 4 and 6 additional inches. Up to a foot of snow could fall in the North Idaho mountains.

Whatever snow falls will likely be sticking around for a while. Temperatures are expected to plunge Monday night, with overnight temperatures in the low single digits – or maybe lower – for several days, Kalin said. Highs will be in the low to mid-teens.

“It’s gonna get cold,” he said. “We’re going to feel it.”