Mann: On with the snow

It was a drop in the bucket, but Climatologist Cliff Harris measured two-tenths of an inch of snow at his Player Drive weather station in Coeur d’Alene early Friday morning.

It was also a prelude.

Friday morning’s meager offering from Ma Nature still qualified as the season’s first official measurable snowfall. Press Meteorologist Randy Mann says one-tenth of an inch is all it takes to go down in the record books as “official.”

By 2 p.m. Friday, Idaho State Police were reporting numerous incidents of vehicles sliding off snow-slicked roads throughout North Idaho and asked motorists not to travel unless necessary.

Meanwhile, Mann is sticking with his prediction of 3 to 6 inches of snow in the greater Coeur d’Alene area through the weekend, with a distinctive “if” and “but.”

“I think we’ll be closer to 3 inches but if it gets cold enough rather than a little warmer, then perhaps more,” he said Friday.

Mann said locals can expect rain or snow later in the week, “with another good chance of snow next weekend.”