Weekend weather: Winter about to make its debut

The Inland Northwest will continue its slide into winter through early Sunday.

The forecast calls for a continuation of rain and snow in lower elevations and snow in the mountains.

Spokane should see highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s through Sunday and lows from the upper 20s to middle 30s.

Sunday is likely to be a turning point toward harder winter weather.

“That’s when winter is going to come,” said forecaster Paul Bos, of the National Weather Service.

A mass of polar air is expected to begin a push into the region later on Sunday.

The clash between moist Pacific air and colder northern air creates the possibility of a deep low pressure area and at least a moderate wind storm.

By Monday morning, lows will reach the middle 20s in Spokane. The cold will deepen to the teens overnight on Monday and Tuesday with highs in the middle 20s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the short term, Coeur d’Alene and portions of the Palouse and North Idaho are expected to wake up on Thursday to a decent snowfall of 1 to 3 inches.

The National Weather Service posted a winter weather advisory on Wednesday afternoon for those areas.

Light snow accumulations were possible at other valley locations around Spokane.

Mountain snow near Sandpoint could reach 6 inches or more by Saturday.

Mount Spokane could see similar amounts.

The mountains to the southeast above the Silver Valley should see up to a foot – or more – through Saturday.

Mountains near 49 Degrees North ski area will likely see less snow.