More snow predicted for region

More snow is expected to blanket the Inland Northwest this week in what weather watchers say is part of a string of winter storms hitting the area. The snow isn’t expected until later today, but freezing temperatures promise for an icy morning commute.

The sun could show its face periodically this morning, but the clouds are expected to roll in by late afternoon, and 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected by Friday morning, said Bob Tobin, a Spokane meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

“It’s going to be hit or miss” as to how much falls where, he said. One thing’s for sure: “Expect more snow.”

Another brush of snow could come Saturday – one of many storms blowing through the region recently.

“It’s been pretty active for the last several weeks,” Tobin said.

More than 8 inches piled up on Snoqualmie Pass on Monday and Tuesday. Officials planned to close a stretch of Interstate 90 near the pass Wednesday night or early this morning for avalanche control.

The procedure involves using explosives to bring excess snow down slopes and can take up to 90 minutes, said Mike Westbay, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

“We know we need to do it because we got a lot of snow today,” Westbay said. “But we don’t want to add to the frustration of traffic.”

The Coeur d’Alene area woke up to 4 to 6 inches of fresh snow Wednesday morning, with light snow falling throughout the day. Spokane and surrounding areas picked up 2 to 3 inches.

The weather made for a tough morning commute, with Washington and Idaho state patrols reporting numerous weather-related traffic accidents.

“We’ve had plenty of slide-offs and a few two-car collisions” in the Spokane region, Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Baker said. “But nothing major.”

In Idaho, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the Pullman, Moscow and Plummer areas Wednesday evening. The area could see 4 to 7 inches of additional snow by Friday.