Spokane weather forecast: overnight snow and rain on the way
The snow that fell early Wednesday morning has subsided with rain for tonight.
SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane and North Idaho drivers had another smooth morning ride on Wednesday after more than an inch of snow fell overnight.
Road teams are working on the main arteries, but most of the roads still have snow in some places. Drivers should be particularly careful on side roads that may have a layer of ice under the fresh snow.
The city of Spokane said additional crews would be on duty on Wednesday morning to plow, grind and de-icing. The city suggested drivers leave early and slow down.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to leave room for plows. WSDOT East tweeted that its crews “reported several close calls between plow trucks and other vehicles.” It also shared a photo of an SUV darting between plows on I-90 near Sunset Hill.
No no no!!! Please stop weaving between our plows. We have five plows heading east on I-90 down Sunset Hill, and an SUV that I saw on camera scuttled between two plows. Please give them space for their work! pic.twitter.com/W6mQwuGhTD
– WSDOT Ost (@WSDOT_East) December 22, 2021
Warming temperatures during the day should help some of the snow melt away before the rain hits the trail. On Wednesday the temperatures rise to almost 40 degrees. Some showers are possible in the afternoon, but most of the rain comes later in the evening.
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The warmer weather and rain will likely turn the streets into a muddy mess. The rain is expected to continue through Thursday morning before subsiding in the afternoon. On Thursday we will also see windy conditions with sustained winds from the SW at speeds of 10-20 mph and gusts of up to 30 mph.
Good Wednesday morning! The crews were very busy plowing and treating roads overnight. The crews sent me this picture of the shift change that was going on around 3:30 a.m. Please make sure that you leave plenty of space to clear the lane while you are working. pic.twitter.com/GsaXjOFIRv
– WSDOT Ost (@WSDOT_East) December 22, 2021
Snow is the order of the day in the mountains this week. Accumulations of centimeters are expected every day. That means it is imperative to check the weather forecast and make the proper preparations including the chains if you want to hit the pass at any time this week.
Good Wednesday morning inland northwest! The snow is moving rapidly out of the area, but motorists should expect wintry driving conditions at #Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint and Colville this morning after the snow fell this morning. #WAWX #IDWS pic.twitter.com/nQBL6vGxUw
– NWS Spokane (@NWSSpokane) December 22, 2021
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Temperatures will start to get cooler again from late Thursday, and snow showers are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with highs between the lower and mid 30s. A bitterly cold air mass will penetrate the region in the week after Christmas and icy temperatures with highs and lows in the single digits are expected.
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We have never seen these storms in the Northwest, but keep in mind that there are more people on the roads at this time of year and there is more potential for traffic and road closures. At this time of year, drivers should always be prepared for all road conditions and be sure to check the pass forecast, as things can be drastically different in the mountains than in lower elevations.
LOOK MORE: Jeremy LaGoo’s 2021-2022 Winter Forecast: What La Niña Could Bring to Spokane, Northern Idaho