The Chronicle

     SPOKANE – Okanogan County basketball fans heading to regional playoff games should be prepared for winter-weather driving today and tomorrow.
     That’s because a winter weather advisory has been issued for part of Okanogan County and a winter storm warning has been issued for the Spokane area.
     Five area basketball teams – the Lake Roosevelt girls, Okanogan boys, Bridgeport boys and the Brewster boys and girls – have regional games tonight and tomorrow in the Spokane Valley area.
     The advisory and warning are in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday.
     According to the National Weather Service, 1-2 inches of slushy snow is expected in the Spokane Valley, and 6-10 inches are expected in mountain passes.
     Wind gusts of up to 35 mph are expected in the Spokane area.
     For those planning to stay home, the Methow Valley is facing a winter weather advisory, but most of the rest of the county should be clear.
     Heavy mountain snow is expected along the Cascade Mountains crest and on the east slope. Meteorologists are predicting 2-5 inches of snowfall in Methow Valley, with 10-30 inches accumulating at higher elevations.
     Winds are expected to average 15-25 mph along ridgetops, gusting up to 50 mph, officials said. A narrow band of intense snowfall may also develop in the Lake Chelan area later today.
     Weather officials advise motorists to prepare for significant snow accumulations on mountain roads.
     The Okanogan Valley, Grand Coulee area and Ferry County west of Sherman Pass are not currently included in either the advisory or storm warning.