Inland Northwest Experiences First Snow of the Season Amid ‘Bomb Cyclone’

SPOTKANE, Wash. — Snow began falling across the Inland Northwest early Wednesday morning, marking the season’s first significant snowstorm as residents embarked on their morning commute. The Spokane area anticipated between one to two inches of snowfall before precipitation transitions into rain. School districts largely operated without delays, though a few announced late start times.

The Inland Northwest is currently under a Weather Impact Alert as this initial impactful snow coincides with the busy Wednesday morning rush hour. The storm, prompted by a rapid cyclogenesis event off the coast, is primarily affecting the western regions initially. Snow is expected to spread through eastern Washington and North Idaho before transitioning to rain in the afternoon.

Snowfall in Spokane is anticipated to cease by late morning, around 11 a.m. or noon, with regions north of Highway 2 likely to experience continued snowfall throughout the day, resulting in higher accumulation totals. Meteorologists predict a variety of weather conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds, and potential power outages, arising from the storm system.

In addition to the ‘bomb cyclone,’ the weather pattern brings with it an ‘atmospheric river,’ characterized by long, narrow corridors of moisture that are likely to lead to heavy rainfall. This phenomenon, alongside the cyclone, is expected to influence weather patterns on the West Coast through Friday, as reported by local meteorologists.