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

Black Friday will be soggy and chilly

Black Friday could be wet and cold for shoppers in the Inland Northwest; here, shoppers waiting for “doorbuster” deals started gathering at a Kmart in Chicago several years ago. (John Konstantaras / AP IMAGES FOR KMART)

Black Friday looks like it’s going to be soggy – and chilly – for shoppers, especially those arising before dawn to get in on early-bird deals.

National Weather Service forecasters say a series of storms will move over the region on Thanksgiving Day, lingering through Friday and into Saturday.

There’s a 90 percent chance of rain or snow at 4 a.m. on Friday with a low temperature of 36 degrees. Rain should continue at least until dusk and potentially throughout Friday night.

There shouldn’t be any snow at lower elevations, however, since temperatures should stay above freezing.

About a quarter inch of rain is possible on Friday. The storm should diminish in intensity on Friday evening and Saturday.

A winter storm watch is in effect for mountain areas and adjacent valleys north of the Columbia River, Deer Park and Athol for accumulations of up to 7 inches in valleys and 16 inches in the mountains on Wednesday night through Friday morning.

A winter weather advisory is in effect above 4,000 feet in the mountains east of Coeur d’Alene for 1 to 4 inches through 3 p.m. Wednesday.