Crews continue plowing snowy streets

Plow crews across the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas are continuing their snow removal efforts today. At the same time, a rain storm is bearing down on the region. Radar at 9:30 a.m. showed the storm approaching from the southwest. It may help thaw icy patches that developed overnight. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected today with light rain continuing tonight. A winter storm warning is in effect for mountainous areas of Northeast Washington and North Idaho north of Deer Park and Athol. Six to 10 inches of snow is expected above 3,000 feet elevation. In the Cascades, heavy snow has raised avalanche danger. Rain and snow are possible on Wednesday. Highs will be in the lower 40s both days before a hard freeze arrives starting Thursday night and continuing into next week with highs in the lower to middle 20s. The 6.9 inches of snow at Spokane International Airport on Monday set a daily record for the city. The previous record was 6 inches during the snowy winter of 1950. In Spokane, crews have completed the residential hill routes and are moving into other residential areas this morning. A stage 2 snow condition was declared Tuesday. Crews will work 24 hours a day until they complete a citywide plow that includes all residential areas. Currently crews are working on routes 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Spokane’s south side and routes 10, 11, 12 and 13 on the north side. The check the progress of city plows visit www.spokanestreetdepartment.org/snowplow.htm. Cul-de-sacs are plowed by separate teams of backhoes or loaders and may not be plowed at the same time as the rest of a street. Residents should be parked on the even side of the street in all residential areas. Browne’s Additions is plowed on a different schedule with specialized parking restrictions. Watch for later updates. The city also has implemented text message updates. To receive updates on parking restrictions, text (509) 385-5775. Text the word “Brownes” for Browne’s Addition, “Hills” for arterial or residential hill routes and “Parking” if you live outside these areas. Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene had planned to plow residential areas, but only after major arterials, emergency routes and hilly neighborhoods are plowed in a priority system. Each agency has its own policy, but they are similar to each other. Only Spokane has implemented the parking rules for getting vehicles to one side of the street during residential plowing.