Natural Weather Service adjusts snow forecast heading into Tuesday snow storm

The National Weather Service is predicting more snow to fall in northern Spokane County and North Idaho as the region’s first notable storm of the new year settles into the Inland Northwest.

By Wednesday morning, areas near Sandpoint could see as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow. That’s about a half a foot more than was predicted Monday, while towns like Bonners Ferry, Colville, Kellogg and Coeur d’Alene should still see about 4 to 6 inches.

In Spokane, weather service meteorologist Mark Turner said about 1 to 3 inches is expected, though temperatures will be warm enough that it could come as a rain-and-snow mix. Higher elevations such as the South Hill could get a bit more precipitation.

Trooper Jeff Sevigney, spokesman for the Washington State Patrol, tweeted late Tuesday morning that troopers were “busy with crashes” as snow started to fall in the northern county.

After Wednesday precipitation should drop, said Turner. Higher temperatures above freezing are also expected.

This story is developing.