WINDY SATURDAY

Very windy conditions expected Saturday as a strong storm system passes through the region. The strongest winds will be present over the Palouse, Columbia Basin, Spokane/CdA areas and most Mountainous Areas. Sustained winds of 30 to 40mph with gusts to 60mph are possible. Hazards associated with the winds will include the potential for downed trees and power lines along with dangerous conditions for high profile vehicles.  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx&img=2

Gem State Population Growth Outpaces National Average While Job Market Goes Down

 many people moving to Idaho are retirees and students...

By Sophie Miraglio
LEWISTON, ID - According to the Census Bureau, Idaho's population is growing faster than most states. Idaho is joined by 16 other states with growth rates of at least one-percent. The Gem State also has the 13th strongest growth throughout the nation. However, this growth isn't correlating with the job market, as Idaho's labor force has gone down.
http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/Idaho-population-is-growing-238594151.html

POSSIBLE BLACK ICE THURSDAY MORNING

Potentially slick roads Thursday Morning for parts of the region as the melting snow and rain from today may freeze as temperatures drop. Black Ice on the roadways could lead to a slick Thursday Morning commute. Use extra caution.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=otx

VALLEY RAIN - PALOUSE SNOW

LEWISTON/CLARKSTON: TODAY- light rain continues today totalling less than 1/10 inch (.06” is my calculation) by tonight.  Light SE wind, high temp 41 degrees

TONIGHT- windy with SW gusts 15 to 25mph, low 37 degrees. Light rain midnight to 4am should total less than 1/10 inch. (.05”)

THURSDAY- mostly cloudy & windy with westerly wind gusts to 30mph, high temps in the mid 40s. Light rain begins after 4pm totalling about .06” by midnight.

THURSDAY NIGHT-light snow may mix with the rain after 10pm as temps drop into the mid 30s.  Showers may briefly change to all snow briefly in the early morning hours with little if any accumulation.

FRIDAY- mild & light showers, light rain beginning late morning (about 11am). High temp near 40.

SATURDAY- heavier rain should total ¼ inch. High temp 46.

SUNDAY- drizzly, light rain. HIgh 45.

PULLMAN/MOSCOW: TODAY-Snow to Rain then back to Snow.

This morning’s snow should total about ½ inch before mixing with and changing to rain as temps rise into the mid 30s around 9am to 10am. Temps will top out in the upper 30s with blustery west winds of 25 to 35 mph. Expect about ¼ inch of rain by 5pm. Showers change back to snow after 5pm as temps drop again.

TONIGHT: Snow should total about ½ to 1 inch by early Friday morning.

TRAVEL ALERT FOR FREEZING RAIN

SHORT TERM FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
WED JAN 8 2014
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATHENA...PENDLETON...PILOT ROCK...
DAYTON...WAITSBURG...WALLA WALLA
NOW...
AREAS OF FREEZING FOG WILL CONTINUE ALONG THE BLUE MOUNTAIN
FOOTHILLS THROUGH 8 AM. THE VISIBILITY WILL RANGE FROM ONE QUARTER
TO ONE MILE. ROADS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BE SLICK IN PLACES...AS
PRECIPITATION FROM TUESDAY NIGHT`S SYSTEM AND FOG WILL FREEZE ON
ROADWAYS AND OTHER SURFACES. MORNING COMMUTERS SHOULD DRIVE WITH
CAUTION AND ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION.
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=otx&wwa=short%20term%20forecast