Rain is falling in Spokane Monday morning and the wind is right behind it.
Strong winds begin to blow later this morning and throughout the day. Sustained winds expected in the 20-to-30 mile an hour range with gusts of 50-to-60 throughout the Columbia Basin, Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area and the Palouse, says National Weather Service forecaster Miranda Solveig.
“We’re looking for the potential of blowing dust, localized restrictions of visabilities, the potential for power outages and tree damage, crosswinds that will make our travel difficult, especially those typical high profile vehicles, and impacts to vehicles that might be on lakes," she said.
Those high winds will continue into the evening and overnight hours.
The northern tier of eastern Washington and northern Idaho will experience lesser winds, but still persistent.
Heavy snows are falling Monday morning in the north Cascades. Chains are required at Snoqualmie Pass. Traction tires advised at Stevens. Forecasters expect as much as two feet of snow to fall there today.
The snow will fall later in north Idaho with 6-8" expected at Lookout Pass.
