Weather: Mountains expect plenty of snow

This week’s arctic cold is going to ease over the next several days, and in the process, the change will open the door to two new rounds of snow at all elevations.

A gradual warming trend starts today with highs going from the 20s to just above freezing on Sunday. Lows will go from the middle teens tonight to the upper 20s by Saturday night.

National Weather Service forecasters said the greatest chances for snow will be in the mountains.

That will be good news for ski areas that got off to a slow start this season because of a combination of mild storms and dry weather.

Spokane has a 30 percent chance of snow today and Friday as an initial piece of Pacific storm energy moves onshore.

A second impulse of milder Pacific air makes its way inland starting as early as Saturday night and extending into the day on Monday.

Precipitation should start as snow, forecasters said.

The associated warm front will move in aloft riding over the colder air along the ground. As a result, there is a chance of freezing rain and sleet at lower elevations along and north of Interstate 90 on Sunday. Any mixed precipitation will reduce total snow accumulations. Rain is likely in the lower Columbia Basin on Sunday.

Precipitation should stay as all snow across the region’s mountains. Lower elevations to the north in the Idaho Panhandle and Northeast Washington will see a slower transition to rain and snow.

Forecasters said the milder air is expected to stay around long enough next week to help melt off patches of treacherous ice left from last weekend’s snowfall. That is going to make foot travel, bike riding and running safer. A high of 39 is expected in Spokane on Tuesday.