Weather Alert | Dangerous wind chill warning for Tri-Cities. More snow forecast
The Tri-Cities woke up to a dusting of snow Friday and temperatures in the single digits.
There is more of both to come, forecasts the National Weather Service. It issued a warning for a dangerously low wind chill through Sunday morning.
The temperature in the Tri-Cities was forecast to remain in the single digits to 10 degrees through Monday night before warming to 14 Tuesday night and 21 Wednesday night.
But north winds will make it feel much colder.
The wind chill value Friday night and Saturday was expected to be about minus-10, according to the weather service. Gusts as high as 18 mph on Saturday and sustained speeds of 8 to 14 mph were forecast through Saturday night.
The wind chill, particularly at higher elevations around the Tri-Cities, could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Daytime highs should be in the teens through Martin Luther King Day, with Saturday the coldest day with a high of 14.
Wear layers, limit time outdoors and if you are traveling pack extra clothes and blankets and notify friends of family of your travel plans, the weather service recommends.
Schools were keeping school children indoors for recess on Friday.
The Martin Luther King Day of Service with distribution of free food and essential items set for Monday Jan. 15 has been postponed due to the cold weather.
It will be held 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 20 at Gesa Stadium, 6200 Burden Blvd., Pasco.
The Tri-Cities Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics scheduled for Saturday also has been postponed. It will be held March 16.
Snow forecast
More snow is possible Saturday, according to the weather service.
It predicts a 30% to 40% chance of snow Saturday evening through Saturday night. Gusty winds could cause blowing snow.
Snow is likely Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, but could fall only at higher elevations around the Tri-Cities, according to the weather service.
Friday’s snow made roads slick as low temperatures kept it from melting, but most Tri-Cities children went to school as usual. More snow fell to the east of the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, Prescott and Waitsburg schools were closed, including Walla Walla Community College.
Interstate 90 closed eastbound near Cle Elum, Wash., about 12:20 p.m. Friday due to multiple crashes and spinouts.
The interstate’s eastbound lanes had just reopened around 8 a.m. Friday at the Vantage Bridge over the Columbia River. The lanes were closed Thursday evening due to white out conditions.
Travel conditions could improve through the weekend. Just 10% to 20% chance of snow was forecast for Saturday and Saturday night. But wind chill values could fall to minus 30.
This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 10:45 AM.