Cold, dry weather to turn snowy next week

Colder temperatures and dry air this week should give way to a major change in the weather pattern over the Inland Northwest with accumulating snow an increasing likelihood next week. National Weather Service forecasters in recent days have been watching computer forecast models which have shown a series of scenarios in which cold air from the northwest combines with moisture off the Pacific to bring a potential for snow across the region starting in the mountains on Sunday. Until then, highs for the next few days will be near 30 with lows near 20 under mostly sunny skies and calm conditions. Computer models have wavered between colder and drier weather next week and moisture laden clouds mixing with the cold. For now, forecasters expect snow chances in the 20 percent range on Saturday increasing to 40 percent Sunday and 50 percent as the work week begins. At 8 a.m., it was 19 at Spokane International Airport.