Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory issued

National Weather Service-Missoula has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the eastern portion of Clearwater County and a Winter Weather Advisory for the western part above 3,000 feet from 11 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Monday Pacific Time.

In the eastern portion, snow will return Saturday night and increase in intensity during Sunday. The combination of accumulating snow, wind and quickly dropping temperatures has he potential to create hazardous travel conditions Sunday evening through Monday morning.

Snow accumulations are expected of 1 to 2 inches for Lowell by Sunday evening, 6 to 12 inches for Pierce, Elk City and Dixie, 10 to 14 inches for Powell to Lolo Pass. Gusty northwest winds will come with the cold front Sunday evening.

Locations of impact include: Elk River, Idaho Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, Pierce, U.S. Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass, Dixie and Elk City.

Pierce

Pierce, at elevation 3,241 feet, is forecast to get rain and snow Saturday night that could be heavy at times. A low around 30 is expected. Total nightime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Sunday, rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10 a.m. is forecast. New snow accumulati of 4 to 8 inches is possible. Sunday night snow will be mainly before 10 p.m. A low around 21 is expected and new snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow after 4 p.m. new accumulatin of less than a half inch possible.

Winter Weather Advisory

The Winter Weather Advisory above 3,000 feet is due to returning snow in the region Saturday evening with heavier intensities expected Sunday afternoon. The lower elevations around Grangeville may sart out as rain, then turn to snow late Sunday morning. With the combination of snow covered roads and snow on wet roads, travel conditions could become hazardous at times. Snow fall could continue into the first part of Monday.

Snow accumulations by Sunday night could be 3 to 6 inches for lower elevations around Grangeville and 6 to 12 inches for elevations of 4,000 feet and above.

Locations impacted include: Camas Prairie, Grangeville and vicinity and White Bird Grade.

Orofino

Orofino, at elevation 1,040 feet, is expected to have a low Saturday night of 37 and has a 90 percent chance of rain. Sunday, rain is expected before 4 p.m. and they rain and snow is likely, though little accumulation is expected. Sunday night the chance of precipitation is 70 percent with little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow showers after 4 p.m. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.