In brief: More sun but still ‘bitterly cold’

Conditions throughout the region will be “bitterly cold” for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service’s Spokane office.

Low temperatures were expected to dip to zero or below on New Year’s Eve, with a light wind driving wind-chill readings to minus-3 to minus-18 degrees, the weather service said Friday afternoon.

Today is expected to be sunny with a high near 19, but with a wind-chill reading as low as minus-8, the weather service said.

Temperatures aren’t expected to climb above freezing until Thursday.

The region likely won’t see any new snow until later in the week as well; there’s a 50 percent chance of snow by Wednesday night, the weather service said.

I-15 shut down due to blowing snow

BOZEMAN – Dozens of travelers flocked to shelters opened along Interstate 15 after the roadway was closed Thursday from south of Dillon to the Idaho border because of blizzard conditions.

The American Red Cross of Montana says more than 50 people registered at a shelter set up at the University of Montana-Western campus, where a line formed out the door late Thursday.

More than 40 stranded travelers were at a second shelter opened by the Lima Volunteer Fire Department.

The Montana Department of Transportation closed the interstate because of blizzard conditions over Monida Pass and into Idaho. The Idaho State Police closed I-15 from Duboise north to Monida Pass because blowing and drifting snow dropped visibility down to zero.

The interstate at Monida Pass in Idaho and Montana remained closed early Friday.

Holiday closes some services

Here’s what’s open and closed for New Year’s Day:

Mail: Post offices are closed today and no mail will be delivered.

Garbage: The Waste-to-Energy facility and transfer stations in Spokane County are closed today, as are Kootenai County transfer stations.

Liquor stores: All Washington state-run liquor stores are closed today. Contract liquor stores may be open. In Idaho, liquor stores are open regular hours today.

Parking: Parking meters in Spokane do not have to be plugged today.

Libraries: Spokane Public Library branches and the Coeur d’Alene Public Library are closed today.

Riverfront Park: The Ice Palace, Imax Theater, Spokane Falls Skyride and Carrousel are open today. Check www.spokane riverfrontpark.com for hours of operation.