Heavy snow, wind expected in Panhandle Saturday

December 17, 2021

The National Weather Service, Spokane, has issued a winter storm watch in effect for the northern Panhandle for heavy snow from 4 a.m. Saturday afternoon through 4 a.m. Sunday.

Four to eight inches of new snow is expected in the valleys, with up to a foot in some isolated areas, and up to 18 inches could fall in the mountains as a winter storm spreads east from the Cascades. Heavy snow is expected to persist in the Panhandle mountains into early next week.

In addition, winds gusting to 35 miles an hour will reduce visibility, making travel difficult and increasing the chance of downed trees and power lines, which could result in power outages.