Snow blankets area in time for New Year's Eve

CHENEY – Area residents are awaking this morning to a Winter Weather Advisory issued for Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens and portions of Lincoln counties.

The advisory was issued at 3:01 a.m. by the National Weather Service in Spokane and includes the Idaho Panhandle. It is set to expire at noon.

"It also came as heavy snow was falling across the region.

"The first in a series of wet and winter weather systems will arrive in the region through New Year's Eve bringing wintry travel conditions," the advisory said. "More storm systems are expected through the week."

More than 3 inches of snow repo...