Ready or not, here comes the first significant snowfall of the winter.

"We should have two to three times the amount we had on Election Day," said climatologist Cliff Harris, adding that about 4 inches of snow are expected in the lower elevations this weekend.

Harris said a rain/snow mix is expected tonight into Saturday and, with temperatures dipping into the low 20s on Saturday night, more snow is expected.

"It's all about elevation this time of year," said Harris, referring to varying levels of snow accumulation throughout North Idaho. "Most of the snow will come Saturday night into Sunday."

Meteorologist Randy Mann said now is the time to make winter preparations if you haven't done so already.

"Get your snow tires ready and your snow blower gassed up because you're going to need it," Mann said.

As of Thursday afternoon, 1.5 inches of snow had fallen in Coeur d'Alene this month.

The average snowfall for the entire month of November is 8.7 inches. Last year, 6.9 inches fell for the month.

Most of the snowfall today is expected to fall to the north and in the mountains, Harris said.

Temperatures on Sunday night could dip into the upper teens, Harris said.

"For a lot of areas, this weekend will be the first hard freeze of the year," Harris said.

More snow is expected to fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in the higher elevations.

Area ski resorts are planning to open around Thanksgiving, which is when they normally open.

Neal Scholey, spokesman for Silver Mountain, said that resort is tentatively planning opening on Nov. 29, the day after the holiday.

"We are ready to go earlier though if Mother Nature decides to give us an early holiday gift of lots of snow," Scholey said.