Frigid temperatures giving way to highs in 30s, 40s

People tired of bundling up in five layers just to head out the door to their cars can take heart – a warmup is coming.

After the lowest overnight temperature in nearly seven years was recorded Saturday at Spokane International Airport, things are expected to warm up slightly Sunday, with the Spokane office of the National Weather Service predicting a high of 18 and an overnight low of 2.

The weather service announced Saturday that the Spokane International Airport had registered an overnight of low of minus 7, the lowest overnight temperature recorded since Feb. 26, 2010. Residents in Deer Park saw a bone-chilling minus 14 overnight, and both Pullman and Coeur d’Alene got down to minus 12.

It’s expected to start snowing in the Spokane area Sunday evening and into Monday, according to the weather service. Accumulations should be from 1 to 2 inches in Spokane, 2 to 3 inches in Coeur d’Alene, and significantly more in the mountains.

Monday’s high temperature is expected to be about 34, and weather watchers are forecasting a whopping high of 40 on Tuesday, when it is also expected to rain. Inland Northwest residents will be able to shed some layers and ditch the thermal underwear, but the unplowed side roads likely will turn into a sloppy mess as accumulated snow and ice melts.