First major cold snap of the season forecast for Tri-Cities. But will there be snow?

The first sustained cold spell of the fall is forecast for the Tri-Cities after a mostly mild September and October.

The first Tri-Cities snowfall of the season also is possible, but chances are only 20%.

Highs will be no warmer than the 30s from Tuesday through at least Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs in the second week of November in the Tri-Cities are usually in the low 50s

The coldest daytime temperature forecast is on Veterans Day Friday, with a high of only 34 degrees. That’s the center of a forecast range of a few degrees, which means that a high as cold as freezing is possible.

Overnight lows are forecast to drop below freezing Monday night, with a low of 30 forecast.

Then lows are predicted to drop into the 20s through at least Friday night. A low of 21 is forecast for Thursday night.

Normal lows for the Tri-Cities in the second week of November are about 33 degrees.

On Monday night there is a slight chance of mixed rain and snow between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. at higher elevations in the Tri-Cities area.

After 2 a.m. at elevations down to 1,200 feet, any precipitation may fall as snow. Much of the Tri-Cities is at about 400 feet or slightly higher.

A 20% chance of snow returns Tuesday night, continuing until 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the weather service.

Travel forecast

Travelers and people headed to the mountains for recreation need to be prepared for colder weather, especially since bodies are not acclimated to colder weather yet this fall, advises the National Weather Service.

AAA recommends keeping cold weather gear in your car now that temperatures are falling, including extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a windshield scraper, blankets and medications. Plan to keep your gas tank at least half full, it says.

At Snoqualmie Pass over the Washington Cascade Mountains on Interstate 90 the temperature will be as cold as 16 on Tuesday and Wednesday night and daytime highs will be at freezing or just above most days this week.

However, the worst of the snow was forecast for the weekend of Nov. 5-6, with no snow forecast for Tuesday through at least Saturday.

Travel conditions will be worse for those heading east from the Tri-Cities on Interstate 84 in Oregon through the Blue Mountains.

A 40% chance of snow is forecast Tuesday night at Meacham 30 miles east of Pendleton, dropping to 30% on Wednesday, with clear skies then through at least Saturday.

Wednesday should be the coldest day with a high of 26 at Meacham and a low that night of 10, according to the weather service.

This story was originally published November 6, 2022 at 11:25 AM.