Storm dumps snow, rain

Whitman County residents woke up to snow and wind on Monday morning, which changed to rain and warmer temperatures later in the day.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Advisory for this portion of the state for most of Monday morning, but a Winter Storm Warning was in effect toward Spokane.

With temperatures hovering just below freezing, snow began falling early Monday morning,

Soil conservationist David Jones said five and a half inches of snow fell Monday at the Natural Resourse Conservation office in Colfax.

A school bus got stuck on Thorn Street hill in Colfax Monday morning a little before 8 a.m. as it tried to negotiate the steep drive. It was about three blocks up the hill when a vehicle in front of it stopped and the bus, which had no chains on, could not get any traction. A second bus with chains on came to replace it, according to Craig McCully, Colfax transportation superintendent. He said with the help of Colfax police, he backed the bus down the hill onto Main Street to turn it around. No students were on the bus at the time.

According to the state Department of Transportation shop, compact snow and ice, along with blowing and drifting snow, was spread county-wide. From south of Pullman to north of Rosalia, roads were treacherous early in the morning.

By the afternoon, temperatures had warmed up to melt the snow and ice, making for deep slush on the roads.

LaCrosse saw only about an inch of snow and when most of the county was still getting snow, that area was getting rain. By the afternoon, roadways in that area were bare and wet.

Oakesdale City Hall staff said they had no idea how much snow they received in the storm because of the high wind and drifting. They had no rain, and it finally stopped snowing about noon. But mid-afternoon, the temps had warmed enough to start melting. School students were released early because of the roads.

Endicott received about six inches of snow and by late afternoon it was melting, city hall staff said. They had a little rain, but no significant amount. School was canceled for the day.

Tekoa city hall staff reported about five inches of snow and no rain. School was released early, but no significant drifting was noted, although there was a light wind. Plows were out keeping the roads drivable. By late afternoon, the snow was melting.

The forecast is for rain or snow showers today with cold temperatures through the weekend. Highs are predicted to be in the 20s and lows in the teens.