Bitter cold week, maybe snow for Tri-Cities. How to keep your pipes from freezing
The low Monday morning in the Tri-Cities dropped to 15 and residents woke up to a skiff of snow clinging to roofs and cars — a preview for what is ahead for the week.
Arctic air that moved over the Mid-Columbia on Sunday night is forecast to linger through New Year’s Day.
With the cold air, uncovered pipes could freeze and burst, warns the National Weather Service.
People spending time outdoors should dress in layers and be wary of frost bite and hypothermia, it said.
Lows for the Tri-Cities are forecast to be in the mid teens through New Year’s Eve, with Wednesday night possibly being the coldest of the week at 14 degrees, according to the weather service.
The Weather Channel says Friday night could be the coldest with a low of 10.
Highs also are forecast to be well below normal for late December in the Tri-Cities.
The weather service forecasts highs of 22 to 23 through Wednesday, with Thursday possibly warming to 28. Then the highs could dip again to 24 on Friday and 21 on New Year’s Day.
The normal average high for late December in the Tri-Cities is about 39 and the normal average low is about 27 — warmer than the highs forecast for this week.
More snow is possible Tuesday night, with a 30% chance forecast by the weather service.
Chances for snow increase to 40% on Thursday, with dry weather forecast for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Travel forecast
Travelers heading to Western Washington or coming home to the Tri-Cities from the westside may want to plan their travel to stay off Interstate 90 on Thursday.
The weather service predicts 7 to 11 inches of fresh snow that day at Snoqualmie Pass. More snow also is possible on the weekend.
Thursday could also be the worst day this week to head east on Interstate 84 through Oregon from the Tri-Cities.
The weather service forecasts 2 to 4 inches at Meacham, Ore. Snow also is possible Saturday night and Sunday.
Snow also is expected Thursday in Spokane, but not more than half an inch should accumulate. The chance of snow Saturday night and Sunday is 30%.
Warming stations
The Tri-City Union Gospel Mission has opened warming stations at both its men’s and women’s shelters in Pasco from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
People also may be allowed to remain in the day rooms at night.
The homeless shelter also recommends that people needing to get out of the cold go to libraries, Columbia Center mall, the bus station or churches.
Its women’s shelter was full Sunday night and the shelter for men was near capacity, said Andrew Porter, executive director.
The cold weather is causing more people to seek beds at its shelters, and the COVID-19 pandemic has taken some beds out of service because of social distancing requirements, he said.
Monday the men’s shelter lost power about noon, but Porter was expecting it to be restored soon.
Keep pipes from freezing
On the coldest nights, homeowners should consider steps to keep pipes from freezing, says the Red Cross.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. With the doors open, however, be sure harmful cleaners or household chemicals stored there are out of the reach of children and pets.
Consider insulating water supply lines in unheated areas, such as under kitchen and bathroom cabinets or in the garage.
If you will be away during cold weather don’t set the temperature any lower than 55 degrees.
Cars use more gas
If you think your car or pickup is using more gasoline in the cold weather, you could be right.
The Department of Energy recommends parking your car in the garage to increase the initial temperature of your engine and cabin.
Minimize idling to warm your car up, it said.
Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds. The engine will warm up faster being driven, which will allow the heat to turn on sooner, decrease fuel costs and reduce emissions, it said.
It also recommends using seat warmers no more than necessary.
Check your tire pressure. It can drop in cold weather, reducing fuel economy in addition to increasing braking time.
The lower than usual temperatures will mean higher home heating costs.
The Benton and Franklin PUDs are among the Mid-Columbia electric utilities that offer discounts for qualifying low income households with a senior or a person with disabilities. Check with your local utility.
Space heater safety
If you depend on an electric space heater for extra warmth, they should be plugged directly into the wall outlet to prevent a fire hazard.
Consider buying one with a tip-over safety switch, which will automatically shut off the heater if it is tipped over.
Don’t be tempted to bring a generator into the house to power portable heaters if the power goes out, says UW Medicine of the University of Washington.
Small gas engines, camp stoves, charcoal grills and other heat-producing devices can emit carbon monoxide, which is potentially deadly. The gas is odorless and colorless.
Symptoms include severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and tiredness.
Too often people fall asleep and don’t get to a hospital emergency room in time to be saved, said Beth Ebel, a UW Medicine doctor at Harborview Medical Center, during last winter’s cold snap.
This story was originally published December 27, 2021 at 11:54 AM.