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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Weekend weather: Snow in forecast for mountains

Light amounts of rain and snow are expected at lower elevations today as a series of storms moves across the Inland Northwest through the weekend.

A second storm should bring more rain on Friday, followed by a weekend storm that should bring mild, wet and potentially windy conditions.

Highs in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene should remain above freezing through the weekend.

In the mountains – where a lack of snow has put the damper on winter recreation – the forecast calls for 2 to 4 inches of snow through Friday and another 6 to 10 inches on Saturday and Sunday.

An atmospheric river stretching back to the Pacific Ocean tropics will push milder air in the region starting later on Saturday, sending snow levels upward to the high mountains on Sunday.

A quarter to a half inch of rain is possible in Spokane on Saturday and Sunday. Southwest wind gusts are forecast to reach 20 mph or so, but the winds could be stronger than that.

Rainfall in the mountains on Sunday will pack down the snow that falls but not melt it.

A hard pack layer along the ground is good for ski areas since it creates a hard cover over rocks and other obstructions. Plus, it cannot easily be pushed aside by skiers and boarders.

Three ski areas – 49 Degrees North, Schweitzer and Mount Spokane – reported a couple of inches of new snow earlier this week.

A storm on Christmas Eve could bring snow to the Inland Northwest, but most of the precipitation appears to be headed into Oregon and south-central Washington under Wednesday’s computer model forecasts.

Drier conditions are expected after Christmas.