The Chronicle

     OMAK – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch beginning Wednesday morning and ending Thursday.
     A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may affect travel.
     Meteorologists are predicting 4-8 inches of snow will fall in the Okanogan Valley and surrounding areas. Further south in the Wenatchee Valley, snowfall could total as much as 16 inches.
     The watch is in effect for Republic, Inchelium, Wauconda, Chesaw, the state Highway 20 corridor, Sherman Pass, Mazama, the Methow Valley, the Okanogan Valley and the Nespelem area.
     Sustained winds should be from 5-15 mph, with gusts of to 30 mph, weather officials said.
     Although the watch does not include the Grand Coulee area, meteorologists are predicting 3-6 inches of new snow to fall there between today and Thursday morning.
     The winter storm watch comes just two days after 8-10 inches of snow fell throughout the region. The Omak School District canceled classes Monday, but other districts remained open, some with delays.
     The Crumbacher-Pine Creek area was the hardest hit early this week after 15 inches of snow fell there.
     Both the Methow Valley and Republic recorded more than a foot of snowfall.
     For more coverage of the winter storm earlier this week, pick up a copy of this weeks print edition of The Chronicle or subscribe to our e-edition.