Snow to fall from 4 to 10 p.m., then rain

Winter weather advisories have been posted for parts of Eastern Washington and North Idaho this morning for the likelihood of snow starting about 4 p.m. and continuing into the evening. Snow is expected to switch to rain about 10 p.m. in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas with total accumulations of between 1 and 3 inches, forecasters said. The Palouse region of Washington and Idaho is expected to see between 1 and 2 inches of snow, and the area is not under any weather advisories. In addition, a winter storm warning was issued for portions of north-central Washington where heavier amounts of snow and freezing rain are possible through Friday morning. Prior to this evening’s storm, forecasters are calling for patchy fog, possible snow flurries and highs in the lower 30s in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area. A strong Pacific storm is moving onshore in western Washington and Oregon this morning and is expected to reach the Cascades before noon. Forecasters said it is carrying enough moisture to cause moderate to heavy snow from the Cascades eastward through North Idaho for several hours at all locations. But the storm is expected to move quickly enough that accumulations will not be heavy in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. In addition, it is drawing milder air from the southwest, which should allow snow to change to rain as the frontal band passes later this evening. A chance of rain showers is forecast for New Year’s Day and a high of 41 in downtown Spokane and 40 in Coeur d’Alene. Lows tonight and Friday night should remain in the lower 30s and possibly above freezing. The chance for showers continues through the weekend with highs generally in the 30s and lows in the middle to upper 20s. Wednesday’s storm dropped only 0.3 inches of snow at Spokane International Airport, where December snowfall is only about half of normal at 9.5 inches. At 7 a.m., it was 29 at the airport, 32 in downtown Spokane, 30 in Coeur d’Alene and 28 in Deer Park.