New Round Of Snow Drifts Across Region 2 To 3 Inches Possible; Warmer Weather Forecast For Friday

Thu., Jan. 28, 1999

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Strong Pacific winds have driven a new round of snow into the Inland Northwest, and the snowfall could continue into this evening.

The National Weather Service in Spokane issued a snow advisory on Wednesday for the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas.

Forecasters said another 2 to 3 inches of snow could fall today, although a lull is expected sometime in the late morning through early afternoon.

A winter storm warning for heavier amounts was issued for the mountainous regions of northeast Washington and the North Idaho Panhandle. Forecasters said a total of 6 to 10 inches was expected in the mountains through tonight, and possibly more at ski areas.

“On the satellite, it looks like a firehose of moisture headed our way,” said forecaster Robin Fox in Spokane.

A low pressure center in the Gulf of Alaska was circulating upperlevel winds of about 180 mph just off the Washington coast Wednesday, triggering the lower-level stream of precipitation.

The forecasted high of 33 degrees in Spokane today means any new snow is likely to stick, at least on lawns and sidewalks that have been chilled by below-freezing temperatures in recent days.

Nearly 5 inches of snow was measured last Friday and Saturday at Spokane International Airport, bringing the season’s total to 20 inches in Spokane.

A normal winter averages 49 inches of snowfall.

By Friday, milder air is expected to replace the valley cold and start melting the snow. Highs are forecast to rise to 40 degrees.

It may not feel much warmer though. Fox said winds could blow from 20 to 30 mph on Friday. The wind chill would make it feel like 20 degrees.

Colder weather is expected over the weekend with lows at night dropping into the 20s.

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