Snow, then rain

COEUR d'ALENE - The first act will be a lot of snow early. Following that, rain.

The combination: "It's going to be slushy and it's going to be a mess," said Cliff Harris, regional climatologist. "That's life."

Another 5 to 8 inches of snow is expected to blanket Coeur d'Alene through today, the first part of a storm system moving from western Washington that will likely turn to rain as warmer temperatures accompany the back side of the winter blast.

First things first: as of this morning, it probably looks like a winter wonderland.

About an inch an hour was expected to fall beginning at 10 Tuesday night around Coeur d'Alene, and even more in the mountains, where a foot and a half was expected through today.

But at lower levels - 2,800 to 3,000 feet above sea level or under - that should turn to rain Thursday and stay that way through the weekend, as temps hit the mid-40s.

"All the snow that falls, will pretty much melt," Harris said. "And it will be very, very sloppy. Not too nice."

Before then, the Coeur d'Alene Street Department will be out with 14 plows clearing the streets.

It'll be their fifth citywide pass, five more than last year, but just about half of the 2008 record.

"Crews are rested and ready to go," said Tim Martin, street maintenance superintendent.

The department is under the $72,000 it has budgeted for fuel. It costs around $4,500 to $6,000 in fuel expenses for each citywide plow. In December, it spent around $17,000 in diesel.

Should the slush build up, and freeze, motorists may have difficulty navigating the streets.

Scott Goodson was surprised at how treacherous some residential streets became after slush piles and puddles froze after the last storm. His girlfriend's car is driving around on a doughnut since ice chucks slashed her regular tire on Atlas Road.

"Ice, literally out the side of her tire," he said. "I've never heard about that before."

If the snow total is reached, it will put Coeur d'Alene's total at 75 inches just past the halfway point of the snowfall season.

The second half should be calmer than the first, and the total winter story is still on pace for 92.4 inches, Harris said.