Northern Idaho could get up to 2 feet of snow through Saturday.
The National Weather Service says starting Thursday moist air coming in from the Pacific Ocean will hit cold air that's part of an Arctic front over northeastern Washington state and northern Idaho.
The northeastern part of Washington state is expected to get up to 8 inches, but the big accumulations are predicted for northern Idaho.
Meteorologist Jay Breidenbach of the National Weather Service says the long plume of Pacific moisture will turn into snow for several days when it hits cold, dense air parked over northern Idaho.
He says skies are expected to clear beginning Sunday and could be a good day for skiers and snowboarders seeking fresh powder at ski areas in the region.