The National Weather Service, Missoula, has issued a winter weather waring for the Kootenai Cabinet Region for snow and blowing snow, in effect from 6 p.m. today through 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Up to two inches of new snow is expected to fall today, then a band of moderate to heavy snow will overspread the area as easterly winds pick up to 15 to 30 miles per hour.
The area between Happy’s Inn and Marion are likely to be hard hit, with localized whiteout conditions possible. Motorists are encouraged to stay off the highway until the storm passes.
In addition to hazardous driving conditions, extremely cold windchill temperatures dipping as low as 20-beslow-zero are forecast.
High winds will be capable of knocking down trees and power lines and power outages are possible.