In brief: Heaviest snowfall is over for now

The snowstorm that pummeled the Inland Northwest ended Thursday, but meteorologists say light snow could continue through the weekend.

As much as an inch is expected to fall in Spokane before late morning today, said Ron Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane.

“Some spots might get more than an inch, but generally it’s going to be less than an inch,” Miller said. “The heavy snow is over.”

Coeur d’Alene likely will get a heavier load, with 3 to 5 inches of snow possible through tonight.

Spokane’s high temperature is predicted at 35 degrees. Coeur d’Alene isn’t expected to get warmer than 31.

The temperature isn’t expected to rise above 34 Saturday in Spokane, and there’s an 80 percent chance of snow, according to the Weather Service.

The sun is likely to show its face Sunday. There’s a chance of freezing rain Monday, but Miller said it’ll be followed by drier conditions later next week.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Hayden, Idaho

Couple killed in I-90 crash

A Hayden couple died early Thursday, in a snow-related traffic accident on Interstate 90.

Kenneth R. Foster, 70, and Janet M. Foster, 55, were pronounced dead at the Huetter rest stop between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho State Police Cpl. Ron Sutton said.

A witness told investigators that Kenneth Foster lost control of his Isuzu Rodeo about 5 a.m. while driving west on I-90. The Rodeo crossed the lanes of travel and the exit from the rest area before striking the back of a parked flatbed trailer loaded with pipes.

The driver of the semi attached to the trailer was not injured, Sutton said. Traffic was limited to one lane for more than an hour, causing delays.

Foster was driving 55 or 60 mph, the witness estimated.

“I would say the cause is driving too fast for conditions,” Sutton said. “Certainly the weather was a contributing factor.”

Snow also made morning travel treacherous in Spokane.

The Washington State Patrol investigated about 20 minor crashes between I-90’s Broadway and Geiger exits, Spokane police Officer Glenn Bartlett said.

A school bus was involved in a crash near Dennison Road in north Spokane County, but no injuries were reported.

“Most of it is caused by people driving too fast for conditions,” Bartlett said.

– Thomas Clouse