Bitter cold could break Tri-Cities records. Subzero temps in the forecast
The Tri-Cities could break a cold weather record as temperatures plummet to below zero this week. Thursday could see a high in the single digits.
The National Weather Service forecasts a bone-chilling minus 6 on Wednesday night in the Tri-Cities, increasing to only 6 degrees on Thursday.
The current low temperature record for Dec. 21 is minus 3, as recorded in 1990. Records go back more than 100 years.
Temperatures are already far below normal for the current week of December, with highs Monday and Tuesday forecast at 21 degrees.
Average normals for the Tri-Cities for this week are highs of about 40 and lows of about 27.
But Tuesday night temperatures will start to drop even lower.
Tuesday night could be as cold as 8 degrees. Wednesday may be the only night with a temperature below zero, but Thursday night the weather service predicts a low of just 1.
Highs are forecast to be colder than normal lows for this week of December in the Tri-Cities.
Highs will drop to a forecast 16 degrees on Wednesday and then to 6 on Thursday, the coldest day of the week, before increasing to a forecast 13 on Friday.
Temperatures should start to warm on Saturday, with a high of 23 on Christmas Eve, rising to 30 on Christmas Day, according to the weather service.
More snow is in the forecast, with snow on the ground not likely to melt much, if any, this week.
A 30% chance of snow is forecast Tuesday and Tuesday night, with another storm system forecast to arrive on Thursday.
A 50% chance of a wintery mix is forecast Thursday night, followed by a 40% chance of snow on Friday.
Warming temperatures will bring a chance of freezing rain Saturday through Christmas Day, according to the forecast.
Travel forecast
People leaving the Tri-Cities for the holiday can expect new snow on mountain passes.
Tuesday 13 to 19 inches of fresh snow is forecast for Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass over the Washington Cascade Mountains, according to an update forecast Monday afternoon.
The chance of snow Thursday night is 60%.
Warming temperatures will turn precipitation to a wintery mix with periods of snow, freezing rain and rain from Friday through Saturday night.
Travelers heading east from the Tri-Cities on Interstate 84 through Oregon can expect a 50% chance of snow Tuesday, dropping to 40% Wednesday night, at Meacham 30 miles east of Pendleton in the Blue Mountains.
More snow is expected Thursday night through Saturday, turning to a wintery mix of snow, freezing rain or rain Christmas Eve Christmas day.
This story was originally published December 19, 2022 at 12:28 PM.