White Christmas should happen

COEUR d'ALENE - Though meek compared to November's totals, the snowfall in the 12th and final month is coming at the right time.

It'll be a white Christmas.

Snow might not be falling on Saturday, but some should later this week, so covered yards and rooftops will complete the picturesque holiday snapshot.

"It's a lead pipe cinch we'll have at least a few inches," said Cliff Harris, regional climatologist. "We're getting a little bit at a time."

Today marks the first official day of winter. Ushering in the season will be a few more inches falling on Thursday, possibly into Friday. There's a slight chance it could continue Saturday, but if not, Thursday's fall will still be there.

On Saturday 1.5 inches fell, and on Monday 2.3 followed, pushing December's total to 7 inches. That's well below November's record-breaking total of 38.3 inches.

But it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

And the totals shouldn't slow travel for those on the road like the enormous 2008 Christmas snowfall. And it won't be bare like last year.

"But we'll have the snow for the mood," Harris said. "It's sort of a compromise in between the two."

Temps for the holiday week will be normal, from lows in the mid-20s to highs in the mid-30s. Rain may come early next week. After that, around 35 more inches of snow may fall before the winter closes out, Harris said.