U.S. Forest Service officials say heavy snow and a cold spring means several campgrounds in northern Idaho and Eastern Washington will be opening later than usual.

Some sites may not be open by Memorial Day, the traditional start of the heavy camping season in the Pacific Northwest, and snowdrifts could block access to lookout tower rentals well into July.

Roads to many destinations in the Idaho Panhandle forests remain impassable. Windy Ridge at the gateway to the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District had 12 feet of snow last week, four times the typical amount for this time of year.

Officials on the Colville National Forest in northcentral Washington say roads to several lakes remain closed because of deep snow and won’t be plowed in time for the start of the fishing season this weekend.

Rentals of old government fire lookout towers may be unavailable well into the summer. With about 10 feet of snow, the Lunch Peak Lookout Tower northeast of Sandpoint might not be open by July 1 as scheduled.

The outlook is better for state parks and lower elevation federal campgrounds, as Riverside State Park west of Spokane will be open for the three-day weekend, and Heyburn and Farragut state parks in Idaho have campsites available earlier.

(AP)

Poor weather conditions have forced officials at Gonzaga University to postpone Wednesday night’s baseball game against Lewis-Clark State. The combination of rain showers throughout the morning and early afternoon and a 65 – 70% chance of more showers in the evening, coupled with the potential expense of a wasted trip, prompted both schools to reschedule the contest for Monday May 12th in Spokane, Washington at 6 p.m PDT.

The National Weather Service says low temperatures bring a chance of late spring snow to Western Washington, up to a foot of snow in the Cascades, and snow and the threat of freeze damage to Eastern Washington.

Forecasters expect temperatures in the 30s Friday night and Saturday in Western Washington while lows in Eastern Washington will be in the 20s.

Meteorologists in Seattle says the snow level is dropping to the 1,000-foot elevation, and there’s a chance of snow down to sea level mixed in the rain showers. The latest recorded snow at Sea-Tac Airport was April 17, 1972.

Drivers in the Cascades passes can still expect winter driving conditions, while low temperatures in Eastern Washington threaten freeze damage to crops.

An obstructed pipe at the Clearwater Fish Hatchery located on the Lochsa River east of Lowell, Idaho has been blamed for the deaths of nearly 200,000 Chinook salmon smolts. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game says uncommon freezing temperatures and human error contributed to the losses. The smolts were awaiting release into the river when a water flow valve was obstructed by ice build up. Hatchery attendants, who are charged with clearing ice from the intake pipe routinely, failed to notice the plugged valve. Hatcheries in the Clearwater basin operate as part of a federal program aimed at replenishing fish losses from four lower Snake River dams.

The Idaho Transportation Department discovered two new avalanches that will extend the closure of U.S Highway 12 between Lowell and Lolo Pass through at least the remainder of this week. The latest snow slides were found Tuesday as crews returned to a restricted area that had been deemed hazardous during and after a snowstorm last week moved through the canyon corridor. Snow removal crews under the direction of an avalanche control expert were expected to begin work to clear the highway which has been closed since four avalanches engulfed the roadway on January 31st and February 1st. However, a helicopter being used for reconnaissance discovered two new avalanches – one at milepost 133 is reportedly about 20 feet high covering a 50-foot section of the highway – another even larger avalanche was found nearby at milepost 132. Crews estimate its size to be 30 feet deep covering 80 feet of the highway and extending into the Lochsa River. ITD officials say under ideal conditions crews may be able to open the roadway sometime this weekend weather permitting. Until then, motorists are advised to use Interstate 90 in northern Idaho as an alternate route.

Several regional roads have also been closed due to the winter storm. All Asotin County roads in the Anatone, Peola and Cloverland areas are closed through at least Thursday evening. In Nez Perce County – the Old Spiral Highway, Moser, Hillside and Leon Roads are closed due to drifting snow. All Southwick area roads are closed except for the Southwick Highway. Central Grade is closed due to a mudslide and chains are advised in the Gifford and Waha areas.

Kootenai County officials in north Idaho have declared a state of emergency saying resources to handle the recent string of snowstorms are being taxed to the limit. The county now hopes to expedite a request for federal assistance through the Idaho Department of Homeland Security.

Officials indicated their main concerns are possible collapses because of snow accumulation on buildings and roads, snow build up on streets and parking lots, possible mass power outages, depletion of manpower resources, and elderly and disabled residents needing help with transportation and snow removal.

County officials are asking residents to cooperate with city and county crews, and assist by uncovering fire hydrants, not shoveling snow into public streets, keeping personal vehicles off public roads, and not putting out garbage if not absolutely necessary. Some officials also voiced concerns regarding price gouging activities in light of all the demands for snow removal assistance.

Many other north Idaho communities have also reportedly declared states of emergency.

The City of Pullman, Washington Public Works Department is advising owners of buildings with decks and or flat roof tops to consider taking measures to remove excessive snow buildup. Officials say its particularly critical for wet snow or for rain on snow conditions. Excessive snow weight could cause damage, including collapse. Only qualified persons should remove snow from roofs and caution should be exercised so as not to damage the roof surface.