SPOKANE, Wash. — School districts throughout the Inland Northwest are canceling school or delaying its opening on Friday due to hazardous weather in the region.
More than 20 school districts have announced changes to their schedule so far.
Most of the schools opening two hours late or closing ahead of the Christmas break are located in central Washington or North Idaho.
Many of the school districts cited icy main or side roads as the reason for the closures and delays. School districts opening late are urging students and staff only to come in when it is safe to do so.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning until noon on Friday for areas of North Idaho and eastern Washington, including Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Deer Park, Chewelah and Kettle Falls.
Moderate snow is expected in these areas through Friday morning.
Spokane saw two inches of snow on Thursday morning, the timing of which combined with below freezing temperatures made for a slick commute.
Police reported about 26 car crashes total before 11:30 a.m., with some of them involving umultiple cars. One crash left a woman with serious injuries after she was struck while checking out the damage to her vehicle.
During last Wednesday’s snowfall, Washington State Patrol troopers responded to 44 crashes throughout District 4, which includes central and eastern Washington.
School districts closed on Friday:
- Coulee Hartline
- Lake Pend Oreille
- Moses Lake
- Okanogan
- Orient
- Quincy
- St. Maries
- Mary Walker
- Almira
School districts opening two hours late on Friday:
- Chewelah
- Colville
- Ephrata
- Evergreen
- Inchelium
- Kettle Falls
- Omak
- Soap Lake
- Summit Valley
- Valley
- Wilbur
- Loon Lake