Holiday travel weather alert: Storm clouds gathering

Thanksgiving holiday travel for North Idahoans is looking rougher by the minute.

According to Press climatologist Cliff Harris, a weak system headed this way is picking up momentum.

“The storm has been gaining a lot of strength in just 24 hours,” Harris said at 10 a.m. today. “It could hinder travel to Montana or Seattle.”

Noting that there’s still margin for error in the forecast this far in advance, Harris said colder temperatures and more moisture could produce 4 to 6 inches of snow in the Coeur d’Alene area between Tuesday and Thursday, and a foot or more in the mountains.

“Wednesday will be the heart of the storm,” he said. “The National Weather Service says it’s going to be rain and snow, but I believe it’s going to be all snow. It’s got all the earmarks of the first major snowstorm of the season.”