Freezing Fog and Drizzle Could Create Slick Roads Across Spokane and Surrounding Areas Thursday Morning
WASHINGTON — Residents across Spokane County are being urged to drive cautiously and watch for slick road conditions Thursday morning, as a mix of freezing fog and light freezing drizzle could develop overnight.
According to meteorologists, the freezing precipitation is expected to form in low-lying areas, particularly near Spokane, Medical Lake, and the northern valleys, as temperatures dip below freezing.
Overnight Conditions Favor Icy Development
Forecasters say the calm winds and moist air moving into the region will create ideal conditions for freezing fog and drizzle formation. When combined with near-freezing temperatures, this could cause thin layers of ice to form on untreated roads, sidewalks, and bridges by early morning.
“Slick spots on roads and walking surfaces will be possible Thursday morning, especially in the valleys around Spokane and Medical Lake,” weather officials cautioned.
The highest risk zones include:
- Spokane and Airway Heights
- Medical Lake and Cheney
- Liberty Lake and Post Falls
- Colbert and the northern valleys
Morning Commute Impacts Expected
Drivers heading out early Thursday should allow extra travel time, reduce speed, and use caution on overpasses and shaded areas, where ice tends to form first.
Pedestrians are also advised to use care on sidewalks and parking lots, as invisible “black ice” may develop in the hours before sunrise.
Authorities remind residents to scrape windshields completely and to avoid using cruise control on potentially icy highways.
Conditions Improve by Late Morning
The freezing drizzle is expected to taper off by late morning, with temperatures slowly climbing above freezing after sunrise. However, patchy freezing fog may linger in low-lying valleys through mid-morning before dissipating.
No significant snow or rainfall is expected with this system, but even light ice accumulation can cause hazardous travel conditions.
Residents across eastern Washington and north Idaho should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared for potentially slick conditions during the Thursday morning commute.
Stay tuned for continued updates on winter weather developments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
Author: Savannah Greene | Category: US News
