Spokane, Washington – Drivers across eastern Washington and north Idaho could face difficult travel beginning Tuesday afternoon as widespread snow develops, impacting highways, mountain roads, and urban commutes through Wednesday morning. Conditions are expected to worsen during the evening commute as temperatures hover near freezing.
According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from late Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning across the northern Idaho Panhandle, the Spokane area, and the northeast mountains of Washington. Snow totals of 8 to 15 inches are possible above 3,000 feet in the Idaho Panhandle, including areas near Schweitzer Mountain Road, Bonners Ferry, and Eastport. Lower elevations around Sandpoint and Priest River could see 2 to 5 inches, with wind gusts up to 35 mph causing blowing snow.
Across northeastern Washington, including Colville, Newport, Deer Park, and Metaline Falls, snowfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are expected, with up to 8 inches near the Canadian border in Pend Oreille County. In the Spokane metro area, higher elevations around Airway Heights, Cheney, and Davenport may see up to 2 inches during a heavier burst of snow Tuesday afternoon.
In north Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene area and the Palouse, including Moscow and Genesee, 2 to 5 inches of snow could make roads slick during the Tuesday evening commute. Motorists are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and check 511 or WSDOT for updated road conditions. Advisories remain in effect into Wednesday morning, with lingering slick spots expected overnight.
