Flood advisory lifted after storm passes over region

A flood advisory that was in effect this morning has now expired after heavy rain caused water to pond along roadways and raised a risk that small creeks or streams could overflow their banks. The National Weather Service issued the advisory on Monday night to remain in effect until 11 a.m. today over Northeast Washington and North Idaho, including Spokane and Kootenai counties. Rainfall amounts to a quarter inch in an hour were reported as a cold front passed quickly over the region around daybreak. In Spokane, some intersections where drains were plugged had standing water in them, creating traffic hazards. From 6 to 7 a.m., the weather service recorded 0.17 inches of rain at Spokane International Airport. The rain was accompanied by wind gusts to 40 mph. About 7 a.m., the rain and wind moved over Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene where winds gusted to 38 mph. Elsewhere, gusts to 47 mph were measured in Lewiston, 39 mph in Pullman, 46 mph at Fairchild Air Force Base and 43 mph at the weather service office north of the air base. Precipitation amounts over the past 24 hours were impressive in some locales, especially the mountains of the region. Schweitzer Basin had over an inch while Priest Lake had .8 inches. In lower elevations, Spokane had .41 at the airport while Pullman had .49 inches. Coeur d’Alene Airport had .19 inches. Locations in the Columbia Basin mostly got a good soaking, the weather service said, with .33 inches reported at Moses Lake’s airport. Larger rivers in the region were expected to crest below flood stage. The Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo this morning was at 42.4 feet with flood stage at 43 feet. It was expected to crest and slowly recede today. The Kootenai River in Bonners Ferry was expected to reach what’s known as an “action stage” of 57 feet by tonight and crest at 57.5 feet. No flooding is expected. The flood stage there is 64 feet. The river was at 54.9 feet this morning. Forecasters are calling for a high of 46 today in Spokane with a chance of more rain showers. Snow levels later today will drop from 4,400 feet to 2,600 feet with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. A strong Pacific storm is crossing the region today, and will be replaced by a colder air flow out of the north and northwest. The change is expected to drop highs to the 30s through Friday and then dropping to the upper 20s by Saturday. The next chance of snow arrives on Friday night and Saturday on another Pacific storm that has potential to bring moderate precipitation to the region. At 7 a.m., it was 38 at the Spokane airport, 41 at Felts Field and 37 at Coeur d’Alene and Deer Park. Spokane city officials have asked that residents clear storm drain openings near them to allow water to recede in locations with street flooding. Traffic on Snoqualmie Pass was having period trouble this morning as heavy snow showers hampered drivers. At one point, eastbound Interstate 90 traffic was stopped at Denny Creek on the west side of the summit. Stevens also had snow. Lookout Pass on I-90 in Idaho had some wet snow while Fourth of July Pass on I-90 was bare and wet.