Sunday snow showers before Arctic cold arrives – Matt

What we’re tracking

Light snow will start to move into the Inland Northwest overnight ahead of bitter arctic cold that will be pushing into the region Sunday night. This snow will mainly be up in the mountains and across the northern valleys of Washington and Idaho in the morning, then bringing snow showers to Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and the Palouse Sunday afternoon and evening.

In general, expect a dusting to around 1 inch in Spokane, 1 to 3 inches around Kootenai County, 2 to 3 inches on the Palouse and Idaho Panhandle, and light dustings up to 1 inch elsewhere between Saturday night and early Monday morning. Parts of the Silver Valley could see up to 5 inches. Lookout Pass could see up to 8 inches.

After that first round of snow, bitter cold settles in from I-90 north to Canada. Early morning low temperatures will be in the single digits above and below zero for the rest of the week in these areas.

Plan your Sunday

If you’re getting some last-minute things done before the holidays, conditions will be nicer in the morning when there will be less active snow. Brief periods of moderate snow in the afternoon and evening will provide most if not all of our expected accumulations. Use the day to make any preparations around the house and with your pets for the bitter cold that’s coming.

Spokane and Coeur d’Alene forecast

We have dropped temperatures a few degrees as it appears the computer models are pointing toward a pretty chilly week. Subzero temperatures in the metro area are a strong possibility Wednesday and Thursday, with snow showers likely on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Regardless of how exactly this all plays out, it is going to be a cold, showery week that’s going to slow down anyone with travel plans before the holiday weekend. It’s a strong possibility we will have one or more Weather Alert Days late this week if the forecast continues with this colder trend.