Snow in mountains, more wind forecast

This weekend’s warm weather may come to an abrupt end as forecasters predict more than a foot of snow to fall in the mountains of Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for elevations above 3,000 feet Sunday, saying 9 to 14 inches of snow could fall from noon today until 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Snow may filter down to the valleys, but forecasters said Sunday that they didn’t expect the snow to stick.

Gusty winds are also expected as cold air rushes in to replace lingering warm air settled over the region. Gusts may reach 45 mph in some spots, according to the warning.

The weather service decided on a winter storm warning rather than a heavy snow warning due to the combination of heavy snow and blowing winds, the forecast said.

– Christopher Rodkey

Inland Northwest

No school, banking in honor of presidents

Schools and banks will be closed today in honor of Presidents Day. Many government offices will close.

Residents throughout the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas can expect regular garbage pickup. The city of Spokane considers today a parking meter holiday. Here is a rundown of services on Presidents Day:

•Spokane Transit Authority – regular service.

•Spokane City Hall – open.

•Coeur d’Alene City Hall – closed.

•Post Falls City Hall – closed.

•Spokane County offices – closed.

•Kootenai County offices – closed.

•Washington state offices – closed.

•Idaho state offices – closed.

•Postal service – closed, no delivery.

•Federal government – closed.

– From staff reports

Seattle

Officials say third death not from flu

The public health department for Seattle and King County is offering some free flu shots after two recent child deaths from complications of the illness.

A third child, who was diagnosed with flu earlier in the week, died Saturday of a different illness. The King County medical examiner ruled that Luke Deasy, 7, of Bellevue, did not have the flu; he died from a bacterial infection of the pericardium, a saclike membrane around his heart.

Two other grade-school students in King County have died from complications from the flu – one last week and one the previous week.

Marija Alumbaug, 8, of Seattle, and Sarah Horner, 7, of Kent, both developed an inflammation of the heart called myocarditis after being infected with influenza A, the most common flu virus in King County and around the country.

– Associated Press