Not much snow after all, but prepare for slush

The National Weather Service has canceled its storm advisory and no longer expects a second blanket of snow in the Spokane area.

“It’s a bit warmer than we expected,” said Bryce Williams, a weather service meteorologist.

With high temperatures in the mid-30s expected Sunday and Monday, accumulated snow should keep melting and new snow won’t stick, Williams said. That means drivers should expect plenty of slush on roadways.

Big flakes of snow fell Sunday on the South Hill and West Plains, and there were reports of heavy snowfall in the northern part of the city.

Williams said he expected Sunday’s accumulated snowfall to average 1 inch or less. A deciding factor will be nighttime low temperatures expected to hover around 32 degrees, he said.

Spokane city officials are urging people to move their cars off neighborhood streets for plowing. In some areas there is only room to plow one lane.

Meanwhile, snow and ice continued to create hazardous conditions on mountain passes in the Inland Northwest.

Sunday night, chains were required on all vehicles without all-wheel drive, and oversize vehicles were prohibited on the Stevens and Snoqualmie passes. Both passes were closed for part of the day for avalanche control.

Traction tires were recommended and oversize vehicles prohibited on Sherman Pass. Idaho officials were urging drivers to watch for slush and freezing rain on Lookout Pass.