An Arctic Front descending out of Canada shortly after the turn of the new year  interacted with a moist air mass over northeastern Washington to create a band of heavy snow over southern Stevens and Pend Orielle Counties and northern Spokane County. Snow accumulations within this band ranged from 4 inches to nearly one foot in the valleys with over 20 inches in the mountains. The northern reaches of these counties near the Canadian Border only received 2 to 3 inches. South of this band in the Columbia Basin generally 1 to 3 inches of snow fell with local accumulations to 4 inches, but breezy and gusty winds on the exposed terrain of the Palouse caused blowing and drifting snow which closed some roadways through January 2nd and produced near zero visibility in blowing snow near Moses Lake through January 1st.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The Loon Lake area received 11.5 inches of snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The 49 North Ski Resort reported a total of 22 inches of new snow accumulation from the early morning hours through the afternoon of January 1st.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

An observer in Elk reported 9 inches of new snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Several reports of 8 to 10 inches of snow were received from the Diamond Lake area. The highest tally was 10.8 inches of snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Four inches of new snow accumulation was reported near Newport.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A member of the public reported 5.5 inches of new snow accumulation near Valley.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of new snow accumulation was reported at Deer Park.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 01:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A member of the public reported 5.5 inches of new snow accumulation near Usk.

Winter Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 05:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

While only 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulated over Adams and Lincoln Counties from a winter storm system on January 1st, breezy and gusty winds in the wake of an Arctic Front passage produced blowing and drifting snow which lead to the closure of Highway 261 between Ritzville and Washtucna, and Highway 21 between Odessa and Lind.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON PALOUSE, WASHINGTON
From 01-JAN-17 07:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 05:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

While only 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulated across the region from a winter storm system on January 1st, breezy and gusty winds in the wake of an Arctic Front passage produced blowing and drifting snow which lead to the closure of Highway 27 between Tekoa and Fairfield. The road was re-opened on the morning of January 2nd.