Wind advisory issued for Tri-Cities. Heavy snow forecast on I-90 pass

The Tri-Cities’ weekend weather is forecast to take a turn for the worse Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for 24 hours starting at 3 p.m. Sunday for the Tri-Cities.

Sustained speeds of 18 to 26 mph are forecast for Sunday evening, increasing to 43 mph Sunday night.

Monday, wind speeds should calm some. A southwest wind of 13 to 20 mph is forecast with gusts up to 31 mph.

The storm system may bring some rain, with the chance of precipitation in the Tri-Cities increasing from 30% Sunday night to 40% on Monday.

The temperature is also expected to dip in the Tri-Cities, with a high of 60 forecast for Saturday cooling to a high of 49 on Monday. Monday night, the temperature could fall just below freezing.

Highs should be back in the 50s starting Wednesday through the remainder of the work week.

Snow forecast

Travelers heading back to the Tri-Cities from the Seattle area at the end of the weekend should be prepared for snow.

A winter storm watch has been issued for the Washington Cascade Mountains, including Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass, from 10 a.m. Sunday to at least 4 p.m. Monday.

At the pass, travelers should be prepared for new snow of 3 to 5 inches Sunday, 9 to 13 inches Sunday night, and 6 to 10 inches Monday.

Seattle also could see some snow. Snow or periods of rain and snow are forecast for Sunday night through Tuesday.

The same storm system could bring rain to the Tri-Cities later in the work week and possibly some snow on hilltops near the Tri-Cities.

Thursday night, the snow level in the Tri-Cities area could drop to 1,400 feet elevation and Friday it could drop as low as 1,300 feet.

Much of the Tri-Cities is at about 400 feet elevation. Badger Mountain is just under 1,600 feet in elevation.

This story was originally published February 23, 2024 at 9:00 PM.