By Mike Weland
The National Weather Service, Spokane, has issued a winter storm warning for Boundary and Bonner Counties for heavy snow above 3,000 feet, in effect from 2 p.m. Sunday, October 12, until 5 a.m. Monday, October 13. For reference, the runway at the Boundary County Airport at Three Mile is 2,331 feet.
A deep low pressure system will drop south across the Northwest Sunday into Sunday night. Moisture overrunning cold Canadian air will result in dropping snow levels with precipitation changing over to snow. Moderate to heavy snow is expected for higher elevations above 3,000 feet in the Cascades, northern mountains of eastern Washington and North Idaho.
From two to six inches of snow are possible at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet and up to a foot could fall above 4,000 feet, pushed by winds of up to 40 miles per hour.
Strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may break tree limbs and could cause sporadic power outages.
Backcountry recreationalist may experience a rapid degradation in weather conditions, and should be prepared for winter conditions through the night on Sunday. In addition, breezy winds in the mountains will lead to wind chill values in the single digits.
Brass monkeys should not be left outside overnight.