Storms may hinder mountain pass travel

The National Weather Service today said a pair of Pacific storm systems could create travel problems on mountain passes of the region, mainly on Wednesday and again on Saturday. The best travel days through the mountains are likely to be today, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, although lingering snow showers may affect travel over Lookout and Fourth of July passes on Sunday. Forecasters said Wednesday’s storm should bring challenging travel conditions on most of the region’s passes, including Snoqualmie, Lookout and Fourth of July passes on Interstate 90. Lookout Pass could see heavy snow on Wednesday. Snow levels on Wednesday should remain above 3,000 feet in elevation. The urban areas along the Spokane River and in North Idaho lie between 1,850 and 2,300 feet. Some of the valleys of North Idaho could get a coating of white in time for Christmas and there is a possibility conditions could develop in a way to allow snow to reach valley floors for a white Christmas. A second storm on Saturday should bring a mix of rain and snow to lower elevations with the potential for heavier accumulations in the mountains and in the major passes. Highs in Spokane should remain in the 30s through Saturday with lows going to the 20s starting on Wednesday night. Drier air from the north moves in next week and temperatures at night could plunge into the teens to single digits.