You’ll never get any argument from me for a milder winter. I’m still a Floridian at heart.
Spokane and the rest of the Inland Northwest could get a break from severe winter weather this year due to a weak to moderate El Niño developing in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
The National Weather Service isn’t forecasting that winter won’t arrive. But it does mean the region should receive less snow in the valleys from somewhat milder temperatures.
Based on historic weather records, Spokane could get 34.4 inches of snow, which is 14 inches below the long-term winter average. Coeur d’Alene would get 44 inches of snow, which below is the Lake City’s average of 51.4 inches, and Pullman could get 25 inches of snow while Colville can expect 37 inches.
Last year, Spokane had a virtually normal winter with about 49 inches of snowfall.
“We are looking at a weak El Niño,” said Joey Clevenger, forecaster for the weather service in Spokane. “That doesn’t mean we won’t have winter. We could get a few instances of several inches of snow.”
El Niño expected to deliver a mild Spokane winter
Spokane and the rest of the Inland Northwest could get a break from severe winter weather this year due to a weak to moderate El Niño developing in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service isn’t forecasting that winter won’t arrive.