Weather: Varied precipitation for weekend

Ten days after arctic air plunged southward to the Inland Northwest, the region is about to face a new cold-weather threat – snow, freezing drizzle or freezing rain.

National Weather Service forecasters said they expect snow to arrive around 4 a.m. today and continue for several hours before tapering off later today.

In Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, snow accumulation should be less than a half inch. But it may be enough to create slick road conditions, especially during this morning’s commute period, forecasters said.

Rain may be part of the mix this afternoon.

The frontal band bringing the snow is the first in a series of storm pulses expected through the weekend, which could draw in enough precipitation to provide up to a foot of snow in the mountains.

The storms are going to scour out any remaining arctic air and end the stagnant conditions that have triggered burning restrictions and moderate air pollution across the region.

Temperatures have been running 12 to 15 degrees below normal since Nov. 11 when the arctic front arrived.

As warmer air moves in overhead, the cold will continue to hug the ground today and part of Friday.

Friday morning may bring a snow-rain mix followed by rain on Friday night and Saturday. Rain chances continue through Sunday.

Highs will go from the lower 30s today to the upper 30s Friday and low 40s on Saturday and upper 30s on Sunday.

Across the region, snow is likely to continue in areas closer to the Canadian border.

Mountain passes on Interstate 90 in Washington and Idaho should see a mix of snow and rain through the weekend. Snow chances are higher at Lookout Pass starting Friday night and Saturday where 8 to 24 inches are possible.

To the south and west, snow or freezing rain is possible through Friday morning, but areas closer to the Oregon border may see freezing rain this morning before rain arrives on Friday.