Thunder and lightning threat in Tri-Cities region as cold front sweeps in
Thunderstorms may light up the sky in the Tri-Cities on Monday and Tuesday nights, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm system will bring relief from the heat, with highs dropping into the 70s and 80s for most of the work week through the coming weekend.
It also should clear out the haze of smoke that has remained even as air quality has improved in recent days.
The weather service forecasts a 30% chance of rain and scattered thunder and lightning after 11 p.m. Monday, increasing to a 60% chance of rain and a possible thunderstorm Tuesday morning before 11 a.m. Thunderstorms also are possible in the evening. Some areas of Eastern Washington could get hail.
Wind gust of up to 29 mph are forecast in the Tri-Cities on Tuesday.
The possible thunderstorms come with a strong cold front that will bring cooler temperatures for the remainder of the week.
A high of 100 was forecast for Monday, with highs dropping into the low 80s Tuesday and high 70s Wednesday. Thursday the high should be about 25 degrees lower than the first of the week at 74, according to the weather service.
At the start of Labor Day weekend, highs should return to the mid 80s in the Tri-Cities.
The coolest night of the week is forecast for Wednesday, with a low of 58. Lows should remain in the upper 50s to low 60s through Saturday night.
Normal highs for the Tri-Cities in late August average about 84 and normal lows average about 53.
This story was originally published August 27, 2023 at 7:25 PM.