It's snow cold

COEUR d'ALENE — More snow fell in Coeur d'Alene in the first week of November than has fallen in that stretch in 87 years.

"We're off and running," said climatologist Cliff Harris on Monday, when he recorded another 3.4 inches of snow.

Combined with the 3.7 inches that fell Friday, Coeur d'Alene has 7.1 inches already in November. Normal for the month is 8.7.

The only year to get more snow the first week of November was 1935, with 9 inches.

"That's very rare," Harris said.

The snowfall saw city crews out in force clearing streets and residents shoveling walkways. While there were some vehicle slideoffs and fender benders around Kootenai County, no major mishaps were reported.

Harris said while he doesn't expect more snow the rest of the week, it will be very cold, with lows in the teens and highs around freezing.

"An arctic front is coming down here," he said.

He is calling for sunny days and clear skies, which means Monday's snowfall isn't going anywhere.

"The snow is going to stay on the ground for the next several days," he said.

Harris also noted that precipitation, a combination of rain and melted snow, is at 3.2 inches, which is already above the normal of 3.07.

The low on Monday was 24, which came at an unusual time, about 4 p.m. Harris said that was due to a northeasterly wind of 28 mph that made the wind chill close to zero.

"If people felt it was cold, it certainly was," he said.