Rainfall record falls for second day in a row

Back-to-back daily precipitation records were set at Spokane International Airport on Monday and Tuesday with more than an inch falling in the two days. The records were part of a heavy band of rain and snow that hovered over the region for more than a day and provided a continuation of what is one of the coolest and wettest springs in the Inland Northwest. The 0.63 inches that fell at the airport on Monday broke the old record of 0.35 inches set in 1893. By 3 p.m. Tuesday, the airport had logged another record with 0.39 inches falling, eclipsing the old record of 0.28 inches in 1955. Up to 2½ feet of snow fell at Mount Spokane where 40 mature trees fell on the park drive west of the park boundary and another 15 trees were dropped inside the park. They were snapped off and uprooted by the weight of the snow that contained an equivalent of up to three inches of water. One crew member reported it was the largest tree fall since 1959. Other reports from the Inland Northwest showed up to two inches of precipitation across the region through Tuesday morning, and snow was prevalent above 2,500 feet in elevation. A report from Chattaroy had 2.35 inches of precipitation. One report from Rathdrum has 1.64 inches through this morning. Also, a trace of snow at the airport tied a daily snowfall record for April 25. A trace also fell in 2008. Last Sunday was the first day of the year to reach 60 degrees or warmer, the latest date for reaching that mark on record. March set a rainfall record in Spokane. Ephrata and Moses Lake set records for the coldest maximum temperature Monday at 50 and 51 degrees respectively. Moses Lake also set a rainfall record Monday with 0.25 inches. Snow was falling this morning, heavily at times, north of Spokane, and vehicles showed the evidence of that snow as commuters arrived for work in the city. A mix of snow and rain was falling in Spokane. The National Weather Service had issued a winter weather advisory for elevations above 2,500 feet. The heaviest precipitation was falling in stubborn band in north Spokane County, Deer Park and west to Suncrest along the Spokane River. Nearly a third of an inch of precipitation has been recorded at Spokane International Airport since midnight. Near Usk in Pend Oreille County, a logging truck rolled about 5 a.m on state Highway 211 during the snow storm, the Washington State Patrol reported. The driver was hurt and taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. Downed trees were reportedly blocking Mount Spokane Park Drive about 10 miles east of U.S. Highway 2 at 7 a.m. this morning. Snow was sticking in the Suncrest area about 8:30 a.m., while radar images showed a potentially heavy band of precipitation holding over the area. The cool temperatures are going to continue today and throughout the week with a high of 48 later today and a 90 percent chance of showers in Spokane. Temperatures were reduced in the forecast from this morning and the call for wind gusts was dropped. Coeur d’Alene may only reach 45 today. Snow is expected in the mountains and was evident on Interstate 90 traffic cameras at Lookout and Fourth of July passes. Snoqualmie Pass in Washington was bare and wet with light snow falling. Another storm system with cool air is due to reach the region Wednesday night and Thursday. The next mild spring day is due in on Sunday and continuing into Monday. The normal high in Spokane today is 60.