SPOKANE, Wash. — After three inches of snowfall in the last 24 hours, Spokane has broken more records for February.
Feb. 2019 has been the snowiest February in more than a century and the second snowiest February on record, according to KREM Morning Weather Anchor Evan Noorani.
The total snowfall for this month is sitting at 29.5 inches, but this could increase as snow continues to fall on Thursday morning. Spokane will likely see another inch of snow by the end of the morning, Noorani said.
Spokane received 28.5 inches of snow during the third snowiest winter on record in 1975.
Nearly 40 inches of snow fell during the snowiest February on record, which was in 1893.
Wenatchee also broke the record for the snowiest February on record with 22.1 inches of snow. The previous record of 21.8 inches of snow was set in 1938.
Schools throughout the Inland Northwest were delayed or closed on Thursday due to snow.
A Winter Weather Advisory was in effect for Spokane and North Idaho until 7 a.m. on Thursday. Drivers should plan on slippery road conditions for the morning commute and reduced visibility in some areas due to blowing snow.
The state Department of Transportation said crews were clearing I-90 on Thursday morning, along with other areas throughout Spokane County.
According to Noorani, calmer weather is moving in for Friday and the weekend.
Several highways remain closed due to poor road conditions on Thursday morning. They include Highway 27 from Tekoa to Fairfield; Highway 26 near Washtucna to Ritzville; and Highway 241 in both directions from milepost 9 to milepost 25.
It’s no secret that February has been a cold month in addition to a snowy one. Every day since Feb. 3 has had below average temperatures.
According to the National Weather Service, Feb. 2019 has been the 7th coldest February on record.
This pattern of cold temperatures will end, but it may not be until the second half of March. The forecast for the first few days of March still calls for temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s. And the long-term temperature outlook has eastern Washington in another cold spell between March 5-11.
