(Spirit Lake)– A lot of winter weather is headed our way this week. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the region which will go into effect late tonight (Mon.) and continue through Tuesday evening.
Forecasters say precipitation will begin tonight (Mon.) in the form of freezing rain, sleet and snow. That is expected to continue through the day Tuesday into Tuesday night. Up to 3 inches of snow can be expected, but the most significant impact will be with the ice, which could accumulate up to three tenths of an inch. Forecasters say that, combined with wind gusting to 45 mph, could combine to bring down tree limbs and power lines, in addition to creating hazardous travel conditions.
In addition, forecasters say there’s a possibility of street flooding due to intakes being clogged with recent ice and snow. They say rainfall rates at times could be heavy, with some lightning and thunder also possible.
Precipitation is expected to transition entirely to snow by later in the day Wednesday, with some significant accumulations possible Wednesday night into Thursday. The wind could cause issues with visibility and blowing and drifting snow.
Bitterly cold temperatures move in for Friday and into the upcoming weekend.
Anyone with travel plans from late tonight (Mon.) through Thursday should pay very close attention to later forecasts.
