SPOKANE, Wash. — A winter storm system is set to move across the state, Spokane County crews are currently preparing for the estimated 10 inches of snow that is estimated to arrive by Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, most of Eastern Washington is currently under a winter weather warning. Forecasters believe that there will be heavy snowfall Tuesday night through Thursday morning.
Right now, most cities will see five to 10 inches of snow, depending on your region.
As Spokane County crews prepare for this snowfall, all drivers are advised that “very difficult” travel conditions are expected on I-90 and all state highways in the region.
Crews in the county’s four road districts are closely monitoring conditions this afternoon. A fleet of plows and sanding trucks are ready to begin clearing priority one roads (emergency routes and major arterials) followed by priority two (secondary arterials).
Depending on the amount of snow the city receives and how long the storm lasts, it may take several days to fully clear priority one and two routes.
Temperatures throughout the week will increase which will turn the snow into freezing rain on Friday and Saturday. Crews will continue to clear the over 5,000 miles of country roads and sand when necessary.
Kent Rietmeier, a snowplow driver in Spokane, says that one of the biggest hazards snow plow crews face is cars getting too close to their plow trucks. Sometimes, cars hit the trucks.
As snow falls around the Inland Northwest, please respect snow plows and remember that it’s safer to drive slowly behind them than to speed in front of them on a slippery road.
Also, in case of an emergency, here are also some things that you should bring:
extra blanketextra watersnonperishable snackssnow shovelwindow scraperextra phone charger
