Snow forecast reduced for Spokane area

A forecast for accumulating snow in the Spokane region Friday night has been downgraded as of late this afternoon. Less than an inch of snow is expected in Spokane Friday night, down from 2 to 4 inches that had been predicted earlier. National Weather Service forecasters said Coeur d’Alene could see 1 to 3 inches of snow on Friday night and 1 to 2 inches on Saturday. The snow storm could also bring accumulations to most of Northeast Washington, North Idaho and the Palouse region. Winds on Wednesday peaked at 53 mph at Spokane International Airport. The strongest low-elevation wind was in Odessa at 66 mph. An incoming Pacific storm due to arrive during the day on Friday could start out as snow and then change to rain before switching back to snow as reinforcing cold air arrives overnight. The snow level will fall during the latter part of Friday from 3,000 feet to the level of valley floors at elevations of 2,000 feet. Snow showers are expected to continue on Saturday and into Sunday, especially near the mountains. Coeur d’Alene could see an additional inch or more of snow. Gusty winds are likely, although not as strong as Wednesday’s storm. Temperatures are going to stay on the cold side, but not become severe. Highs should be in the 30s and lows in the 20s with a Monday night low maybe reaching 18. Snow showers may linger over the region through Sunday. Additional snowfall is likely in the mountains. Lower elevations to the south will probably stay in the rain zone.